The Republic of Tajikistan, under the direct leadership of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the respected Emomali Rahmon, has taken one of the key places in global politics in the field of glacier and water resources protection.
It should be noted that back in March 2021, during the first meeting of the leaders of the water and climate coalition, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon noted that the rapid melting of glaciers along with increased water consumption, which depends on population growth and economic development, can lead to negative consequences.
In this regard, the President of the country made a proposal, in order to focus on this issue at the international level, to define 2025 as the International Year for the Protection of Glaciers and the International Day for the Protection of Glaciers, as well as to create a special international fund for the protection of glaciers.
On December 14, 2022, during its 77th session, the United Nations General Assembly, with the support of 153 member countries, adopted the 5th international initiative of the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon in the field of water and climate. In accordance with the resolution, 2025 was declared the International Year of Glacier Protection, and since the beginning of 2025, World Glacier Day has been celebrated annually on March 21. Also, in accordance with this resolution, the United Nations, in coordination with the Secretary-General of the organization, creates a trust fund, that is, an international trust fund for the protection of glaciers. This is one of the rare resolutions, as it contains the declaration of both an International Day and an International Year.
The resolution highlights the importance of glaciers as an integral part of the hydrological cycle and the serious impact of their rapid melting on climate, the environment, human health and sustainable development.
The document also emphasizes that the impact of global warming has led to widespread bleaching of the cryosphere, which has led to a decrease in sustainability in high-altitude areas, changes in the amount and season of runoff and water resources in the basins of snowy and glacial rivers.
This factor affects a decrease in the diversity of agricultural products, an increase in water scarcity, an increase in average sea level, as well as the overall impact on the biodiversity of fauna and flora.
Many co-authors of the resolution once again testify that the international community trusts the initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan and its contribution to solving global problems.
The announcement of March 21 as the International Glacier Protection Day is also aimed at protecting and preserving glaciers on a global level.
We are proud that, based on this resolution, the proposals put forward by the President of the country have received support from the UN Member states, including:
- March 21 has been declared the International Glacier Protection Day;
- 2025 has been declared the International Year of Glacier Protection;
- Creation of an International trust Fund at the United Nations to promote glacier conservation;
- Holding an international conference on Glacier Conservation in Dushanbe in 2025.
In addition, as March 21 is marked by the "International Glacier Protection Day", on this day the people of Tajikistan celebrate the International Holiday “Navruz" with special splendor. That is, the definition of March 21 by the United Nations as “International Glacier Protection Day” is not without its significance and is a tribute to the world community, including the United Nations, Tajik culture, especially the initiatives of the leader of Tajikistan, the internationally respected politician Emomali Rahmon, and demonstrates the global influence of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, the Leader of the Nation. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Rahimzoda Davlatjon is a specialist at the Glaciology Center of the Agency for Hydrometeorology.
17.03.2025