Speech of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon at the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation
30 May 2025
Excellencies, distinguished heads of delegations,
Ladies and gentlemen!
I cordially welcome you to Tajikistan, which is hosting the first High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation.
This Conference is an important step towards implementing the United Nations resolution declaring the year 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Today’s gathering provides a useful platform to exchange views on this vital topic and dialogue on the rational use of water resources.
Dear participants,
The accelerated melting of glaciers has become a global crisis of our time. Over the past few decades, glaciers have been shrinking at a rapid pace. This disturbing process has no precedent in human history.
According to experts’ estimates, the largest annual decrease in glacier volume was recorded in 2023.
As a result, 600 gigatons of fresh water were lost, which caused the average global sea level to rise.
Climate change has already caused the loss of about a third of mountain glaciers around the world.
This process is not just an environmental problem, but is closely related to many aspects of human life.
Glaciers are considered to be one of the main sources of drinking water on our planet, and their protection provides the necessary conditions for achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Along with this, the rapid melting of polar ice caps is causing flooding in coastal countries and cities, leaving millions without shelter.
Moreover, this process leads to a decrease in the land area of countries and becomes a factor in population migration.
It is obvious that without urgent and proactive adaptation efforts consistent with the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris Agreement, this trend will lead to catastrophic consequences.
Glaciers and ice sheets play a key role in ocean circulation. They act as natural climate regulators on our planet.
According to experts’ assessments, in the case of an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the economic damage to vulnerable countries will increase accordingly.
If the temperature rises by 2 °C, another third of the world’s glaciers are expected to disappear.
Therefore, we must make every effort to ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and take the necessary measures to prevent an increase in global temperature.
Dear audience,
Rapid glacier melt disrupts water supply processes, threatens food security, and negatively affects the production of clean electricity.
This process, in most cases, creates many risks, increasing economic inequality and the vulnerability of the population.
Especially in mountain areas, the rapid melting of glaciers is causing flooding, mudslides, and landslides, damaging infrastructure significantly.
Our country, with 93 percent of the territory covered by mountains, remains vulnerable against natural disasters related to water, including rapid melting of glaciers.
Tajikistan, which has the largest glaciers in Central Asia, is facing this crisis now.
So far, out of 14,000 glaciers, which are the source of 60 percent of drinking water in the region, 1,300 have completely melted, and the process of rapid melting is still continuing.
The loss of glaciers threatens not only our natural heritage but also the lives of millions of people in the region.
Dear participants of the conference,
I want to note clearly that glaciers’ preservation is not just a problem of countries with glaciers but rather a global crisis that deserves the immediate attention of the international community.
The necessary institutions for studying glaciers are active in our country.
At the same time, it is important to note that our scientific and technical capabilities, like those of dozens of other countries with glaciers, are limited.
We need to expand effective cooperation with all partners for the comprehensive monitoring of glaciers, as well as for the planning and implementation of urgent measures to protect glaciers.
In this context, intellectual innovations, together with financial and technical assistance, are also needed.
Tajikistan’s glaciers are not only a major source of water for Central Asian rivers but also play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability of the region’s climate, and are of great significance for protecting the global climate.
Therefore, the current state of these glaciers requires detailed scientific research.
It is worth noting that studying ice samples from the Vanjyakh (known as Fedchenko) Glacier, which is one of the biggest continental glaciers in the world with a length of 77 kilometers and a thickness of about one kilometer, can reveal thousands of years of climate history for humanity.
Considering the fact that more than 60 percent of the region’s glaciers are located in Tajikistan, I propose, in collaboration with development partners and research institutes, to organize a comprehensive expedition to study the glaciers of Tajikistan.
We call on all partners and stakeholders to support this initiative and thus make their relevant contribution to the implementation of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034.
Dear audience,
In addition to the main causes of the melting of glaciers, such as global climate change and air pollution, the extreme dust haze has also been accelerating this process in our region for the past few decades.
One of the problems inherent to glaciers in our mountainous country is the risk of glacial lakes collapsing, which can destroy populated areas and infrastructure and, in some cases, even cause loss of life. At the same time, several glaciers in Tajikistan are prone to sliding, which can cause serious issues.
Given the fact that Tajikistan’s glaciers are located at altitudes from three and a half thousand meters to seven and a half thousand meters above sea level in difficult mountainous areas, implementing any programs to protect them faces many challenges.
Therefore, we propose to development partners and international organizations to establish fruitful cooperation to address these concerns with us.
Most of Tajikistan’s glaciers, including the Vanjyakh (Fedchenko) Glacier, are located in the Pamir Mountain Range.
They are part of the Tajikistan National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In this regard, the Government of Tajikistan has decided to launch a special program to protect the natural diversity of this unique park.
Dear Conference participants,
Tajikistan has been actively promoting the water and climate agenda on the international stage for the past twenty years, while also emphasizing the need for an urgent and joint response to protect glaciers.
Given the importance of this issue, at the initiative of Tajikistan, based on a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the year 2025 was declared the “International Year of Glaciers’s Preservation” and March 21 was proclaimed “World Glacier Day.” A new United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Activities for Glaciers’ Preservation coordinated by the Secretary-General was established.
In this context, it is necessary for states and international and regional organizations to make their possible financial contribution to the Fund for its effective operation.
In addition, at the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of France, in August last year, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 2025-2034 as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.”
I believe that support for this resolution will make a significant contribution to advancing the issue of water and climate, especially the effective implementation of the intended goals.
Dear audience,
Given the importance of the statements above, Tajikistan calls on the international community to take urgent and decisive measures to protect glaciers.
In this regard, Tajikistan proposes the following immediate actions to reduce the process of glacier melt :
First. Raise the awareness of the global community about the vital role of glaciers in ensuring drinking water resources and addressing a set of interrelated sustainable development issues.
Second. Strengthen international cooperation, including through the active involvement of scientists and researchers, civil society, and other stakeholders, to address the problem of melting glaciers and its far-reaching consequences.
Third. Conduct comprehensive monitoring and scientific research to better understand the dynamic changes of glaciers and the impacts on ecosystems, water resources, socio-economic issues, and global climate change.
To address this issue, it is proposed that countries with the ability to collect accurate data on the state of glaciers, particularly through satellites, shall establish a regular exchange of information with countries that lack such capabilities.
Fourth. Implement collective actions to address the socio-economic consequences of glacier melting, including its impact on accessing water, ensuring food security, producing electricity, protecting cultural and natural heritage, etc.
In particular, urgent measures must be taken to protect flora and fauna that become deprived of their usual habitats as a result of the melting of glaciers.
Fifth. Most measures aimed at protecting glaciers are closely aligned with measures aimed at addressing climate change.
Therefore, there is a need to assist countries in implementing climate change adaptation programs and strategies, including in vulnerable regions, through integrated approaches, such as early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.
Sixth. Effective use and mobilization of financial and technical resources for the practical implementation of glacier preservation initiatives and make contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Activities for Glaciers’ Preservation.
Seventh. Development and implementation of strategies and action programs at national and regional levels.
I also propose to develop a global strategy for glaciers’ preservation at the global level.
For its further implementation, it is necessary to build on the experience of other existing mechanisms, such as the Conventions on Climate Change, Biological Diversity, Combating Desertification, and others.
Tajikistan will raise this initiative within the United Nations framework and calls upon all countries to support it.
Distinguished guests,
I am confident that the results of today’s Conference, including the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration and the Dushanbe Glaciers Appeal: A Call for Action, will serve as a call for pragmatic action by the international community to contribute to important global processes.
Furthermore, the results of today’s meeting will lay the foundation for the formation of a new Dushanbe Process for Glaciers’ Preservation.
Our main goal is to preserve these vital resources through effective joint efforts of the international community for the benefit of present and future generations.
Every lost drop of glaciers contributes to the growing dangers for the future of humanity.
Therefore, let us cherish every moment and contribute to protect the priceless treasure of nature — glaciers — to ensure a bright future for humanity!
I hope that the international community will make greater efforts for the timely implementation of water- and climate-related goals and commitments, especially for the protection of glaciers and the efficient and rational use of water.
Thank you for your attention!