By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
From May 29 to 31, 2025, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, hosted the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation. The event commenced with an opening address by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honourable Emomali Rahmon.
President Rahmon extended a warm welcome to the high-level participants, wishing the conference great success. He underscored the conference's significance as a crucial step towards the implementation of the United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the "International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation."
The President emphasized that the meeting provided a vital forum for fruitful dialogue, enabling the exchange of views on this critical issue and the rational use of water resources. He drew experts' attention to the alarming rate of glacier melting, a global crisis of our time, describing its decline as a deeply worrying process in human history.
President Rahmon further elaborated on the impacts of climate change, the unprecedented decline of glaciers, and its tragic consequences for the planet's population. He stressed the imperative for the international community to forge joint efforts in finding solutions to these pressing problems.
It was highlighted that Tajikistan, possessing the largest glaciers in Central Asia, is also directly confronting this challenge. The Head of State articulated that the degradation of glaciers not only imperils the nation's natural heritage but also threatens the livelihoods of millions across the region.
To address this, a proposal was put forth to expand effective cooperation with all partners for comprehensive glacier monitoring and the planning and implementation of urgent protective measures. This initiative, it was noted, would require intellectual innovations and significant financial and technical assistance.
The critical role of Tajikistan's glaciers was emphasized; they are not only a primary water source for Central Asian rivers but also instrumental in maintaining regional climate stability and contributing to global climate protection. The current state of these glaciers, it was asserted, necessitates accurate scientific research.
Given that over 60 percent of the region's glaciers are located in Tajikistan, a further proposal was made to organize a comprehensive expedition to study Tajikistan's glaciers in collaboration with development partners and scientific research institutes, and to establish a regional glaciological laboratory within the country. All partners and stakeholders were invited to support this initiative, thereby contributing to the "Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences - 2025-2034."
President Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistan's active promotion of the water and climate agenda on the international stage over the past two decades, consistently emphasizing the need for an urgent and joint response to protect glaciers. He recalled that, at Tajikistan's initiative and based on a UN General Assembly resolution, 2025 was declared the "International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation," March 21 proclaimed "World Glaciers Day," and the International Trust Fund for Glaciers established under the United Nations. States and international and regional organizations were urged to contribute financially to ensure the Fund's effective operation.
The President also reflected on the joint initiative of Tajikistan and France for the adoption of a UN resolution to declare 2025-2034 as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.”
President Rahmon underscored the necessity of urgent measures to protect glaciers and presented several key proposals. These included: raising international community awareness about the vital role of glaciers; strengthening international cooperation; conducting comprehensive monitoring and scientific research to better understand glacier changes and their impact on global climate change; and implementing collective measures to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of rapid glacier melting, particularly its impact on water access, food security, energy production, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. He also proposed coordinating most measures aimed at preserving glaciers and developing a Global Strategy for the Preservation of Glaciers.
Concluding his speech, President Rahmon stated that the conference's outcomes, including the Dushanbe Conference Declaration and the appeal from its participants, would serve as a call for practical actions by the international community to contribute to crucial global processes in water, climate, and sustainable development.
Held from May 29 to 31, 2025, the Conference brought together over 2,600 participants from 90 countries, including heads of state, high-level UN officials, and representatives from international and regional organizations, financial institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, and local communities. The event featured a comprehensive agenda comprising two plenary sessions, 12 thematic panels, two high-level roundtables, eight pre-conference forums, and 17 parallel events, all focused on knowledge-sharing, innovation, and collaboration in cryosphere protection.
A key highlight was the Glacier Festival, organized by the Government of Tajikistan to raise public awareness about the environmental and humanitarian significance of glaciers and freshwater preservation. Alongside it, the international exhibition «Transforming Glacier Challenges into Solutions» showcased cutting-edge scientific research, technologies for glacier monitoring and preservation, and the critical role glaciers play in regulating freshwater supplies, sustaining biodiversity, and shaping global climate patterns.
The conference emphasized the interlinkage between glacier preservation and sustainable development, particularly for vulnerable communities dependent on glaciers for livelihoods and water access. Discussions focused on how preserving glaciers helps mitigate related risks and supports long-term development goals, aligning closely with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Among the key outcomes were the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration and the Dushanbe Appeal: Call for Action, urging UN Member States and stakeholders to enhance international cooperation and coordination in safeguarding the cryosphere and advancing the global glaciers’ preservation agenda.
