Ahead of the upcoming High-Level International Conference set to take place in Dushanbe at the end of May, a series of events has been launched — from seminars for journalists to creative social media challenges. These initiatives reflect the country’s ambitious climate agenda and aim to unite the global community in addressing the rapid melting of glaciers.
During a seminar for journalists held on April 8, Muhibullo Junaydullozoda, Director of the Investment Projects Center under the Committee for Environmental Protection, stated that the conference will not only serve as a platform for knowledge exchange but also become a catalyst for strengthening international cooperation.
He emphasized that under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan has consistently promoted climate initiatives on the global stage.
Among these initiatives is a UN General Assembly resolution, adopted at the initiative of Tajikistan, which declares 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation.
The resolution also established World Glacier Day (March 21) and the creation of an International Trust Fund for Glacier Support.
Additionally, at the initiative of Tajikistan and France, the years 2025–2034 have been declared the Decade of Action in Support of Glaciological Sciences, and an International Group of Glacier Enthusiasts has been formed in cooperation with Argentina.
Ms. Tatiana Evstifeyeva, a representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), highlighted in her remarks that the rapid melting of glaciers threatens the lives of more than two billion people who depend on glacier-fed river systems.
She announced the launch of large-scale programs for sustainable water use and agriculture across nine countries in the region, including Tajikistan, with planned investments totaling up to US$3.5 billion.
The glacier melt issue is especially acute for Tajikistan: over the past century, the country has lost about 30% of its glaciers. The largest continental glacier — Vanjyakh (formerly Fedchenko) in Vanj district of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) — has shrunk by 44 km² and retreated by a kilometer.
This directly affects hydropower, water supply, food and energy security. Mountainous and rural areas remain particularly vulnerable, with rising poverty and increased migration being observed.
In response to these challenges, the Committee for Environmental Protection, in collaboration with GIZ, launched an online challenge called “Preserving Glaciers” as part of the environmental campaign “Glacier Preservation Month.”
The initiative began on March 21 and will continue until April 20. Its goal is to raise public awareness about glacier melting and promote a culture of careful conservation.
To participate in the challenge, users must post a creative photo or video on Instagram with the hashtags #Glaciers2025Month and #GlaciersChallenge, tag the organizers’ accounts, and invite at least three friends to join.
The best entries will receive certificates and commemorative gifts, and their authors will be invited to a special event.
The organizers call on everyone who cares to support the campaign and contribute to the global effort to protect glaciers — a key source of freshwater and life on Earth. They believe the success of the upcoming conference depends on the collective efforts of the international community and its readiness to take concrete action.
