On March 21-22, 2025, Tajikistan, UNESCO & WMO marked World Glacier Day and World Water Day through a series of high-level events in Dushanbe, New York, and Paris. These discussions reinforced the urgent need to protect glaciers and mountain water sources, which are essential for billions of people worldwide.
At the UN Headquarters in New York, experts warned about the alarming rate of glacier retreat. Tajikistan's Foreign Minister, Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, shared a poignant story that put a face to the crisis. He spoke of Suhrob, a farmer from a rural village in Tajikistan, whose crops once flourished thanks to the steady supply of glacial meltwater.
Now, Suhrob's land is plagued by unpredictable droughts and floods, leaving his family's livelihood uncertain. His words, though simple, were powerful: "We never know anymore. One year, floods wash away our crops. The next, nothing grows. Our children are going hungry." Sadly, Suhrob's story is not an isolated one, echoing the experiences of many farmers in Tajikistan and beyond.
Meanwhile, in Paris, UNESCO hosted the launch of the 2025 UN World Water Development Report, highlighting the crucial role of mountain waters and alpine glaciers in water availability, sanitation, food security, and energy production. As the "water towers" of the world, mountains store and release freshwater, sustaining ecosystems and economies far beyond their regions.
In Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a Scientific and Practical Conference on Glacier Preservation took place on March 20, organized by the Agency for Hydrometeorology in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. The event highlighted the global recognition of Tajikistan’s initiatives on glacier preservation and climate resilience, as outlined in UNGA Resolution 77, which declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
On March 22, Dushanbe also hosted a high-level forum in “Iram” Park dedicated to World Glacier Day, aligning with Navruz celebrations. Government officials, diplomatic representatives, and international experts emphasized Tajikistan’s leading role in water diplomacy and climate action, including the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028” and the upcoming International Conference on Glacier Preservation in Dushanbe.
These events underscored the global responsibility to preserve glaciers, mitigate climate change, and ensure water availability for future generations. Every action counts!
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28.03.2025