SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - The International Conference on Glacier Preservation is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31 in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation.
The aim of this international conference is to raise global awareness about the crucial importance of glaciers and to prevent their accelerated melting. It seeks to promote international cooperation and joint actions, scientific innovation, and coordinated political strategies to address glacier melt and its widespread consequences.
Participants at the Dushanbe High-Level Conference are expected to discuss critical issues concerning glacier protection and the strengthening of international collaboration for effective measures to safeguard the planet's glaciers. These discussions will take place within thematic sessions, forums, and various side and cultural events. The Dushanbe High-Level Conference represents a significant step towards bolstering international cooperation in the field of glacier protection.
I would like to underline that Tajikistan, under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, has been a proactive advocate for the global water and climate agenda since the beginning of the 21st century. Numerous initiatives put forth by Tajikistan have consistently garnered support from the international community.
The United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers serves as a clear testament to this. The latest initiative by the Leader of the Nation holds particular historical significance and is considered unique, as the United Nations General Assembly adopted four proposals from Tajikistan in a single resolution: “2025 -- International Year of Glaciers,” “March 21 -- World Glacier Day,” the establishment of a special trust fund for glacier preservation, and the hosting of a high-level international conference on glacier preservation in Dushanbe in 2025.
To implement this resolution, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan approved a resolution "On the implementation of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on the 'International Year of Glaciers'" which established an Organizing Committee and a specific action plan. Furthermore, to continue advancing the glacier preservation agenda, another United Nations resolution, initiated by Tajikistan and France, was adopted in August 2024, declaring 2025~2034 as the “Decade of Action for Glaciology.” Additionally, the “Group of friends of Glaciers” was established under the United Nations at the initiative of Tajikistan and Argentina.
Glaciers, holding approximately 75 percent of the world's freshwater resources, are rapidly shrinking due to climate change, necessitating urgent and collective action from the international community to address this critical global issue. The melting of even the largest glaciers, such as the Vanjyakh glacier, which spans over 75 kilometers, starkly illustrates this trend. Long-term observations reveal a significant retreat; in just the past 70 to 80 years, the Vanjyakh glacier has shrunk by more than 1 kilometer, reducing its area to 44 square kilometers. The glaciers of Tajikistan are not merely magnificent natural monuments but also vital sources of freshwater for the region, playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystems and climate of Central Asia.
In today's world, environmental protection stands as a paramount concern, serving as the fundamental basis for the future of humanity. Consequently, environmental problems and the issue of melting glaciers, a key source of drinking water, have become a top priority for the global community. Global experience has demonstrated that addressing existing environmental challenges effectively requires collaborative efforts, as no single nation can achieve environmental sustainability in isolation. Therefore, proactive and joint initiatives involving all countries in the region and across the globe are essential to prevent further environmental degradation.
Leveraging this occasion, I extend an invitation to all relevant institutions to participate in the International Conference on Glacier Preservation, thereby contributing to global initiatives addressing the climate agenda.
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