In line with the initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, concerning the “Preservation of Glaciers and the Cryosphere, Particularly in High-Mountain Regions,” and in support of the objectives of the International Decade of Cryospheric Sciences 2025–2034, the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan continues its efforts in the monitoring and scientific study of the cryosphere.
In this context, from 25 August to 7 September 2026, a joint scientific research expedition was conducted on Tajikistan Glacier (formerly known as Fedchenko Glacier), located in the high-mountain region of the Pamirs. The expedition brought together specialists from the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, representatives of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).
The high-mountain areas of the Pamirs represent one of the most important regions for studying climate change and the state of the cryosphere. Glaciers and snow cover play a crucial role in the formation and regulation of water resources in Central Asia, while regular instrumental observations in high-altitude areas are essential for assessing glacier dynamics, changes in hydrometeorological conditions, and cryospheric processes.
In this regard, the glacier system of Tajikistan Glacier is one of the key sites for long-term scientific research and is considered one of the largest mountain glacier systems in the world. At an elevation of approximately 4,200 metres above sea level, the G. M. Gorbunov High-Mountain Meteorological Station is located within the glacier system. Its high-altitude location enables the collection of direct and valuable data on hydrometeorological conditions and glaciological processes in one of the most remote and challenging areas of the Pamirs.
From Restoration to Full Modernization of the Station
In 2025, within the framework of a joint expedition involving the Agency for Hydrometeorology, the operation of the Gorbunov Station was restored, creating the necessary conditions for the continuation of automated observations.
The 2026 joint expedition marked a new stage in this process. Its main objective was the comprehensive modernization of the station’s equipment, improvement of the observation system, and restoration of the transmission of hydrometeorological data.
During the expedition, a technical assessment of the station and its equipment was carried out, existing sensors were replaced, and new measuring sensors were installed. The team also carried out equipment configuration and testing, conducted meteorological observations, and surveyed the area surrounding the station.
One of the most significant achievements of the expedition was the full restoration of the transmission of observational data from the station to the Agency for Hydrometeorology’s Operational Information Collection Centre. This will enable the regular acquisition of hydrometeorological data from an elevation of 4,200 metres above sea level and their use for analysis, forecasting, and assessment of changes in the region’s climatic conditions.
The expedition participants also carried out extensive photo and video documentation of the condition of the station, its equipment, and the glacier surface, collecting essential materials for further assessment of the high-mountain environment.
Tajikistan’s Contribution to International Cryosphere Monitoring
The restoration and modernization of the Gorbunov Station represent an important example of Tajikistan’s practical cooperation with international scientific institutions in the field of cryosphere research and monitoring.
Cooperation between the Agency for Hydrometeorology, the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria makes it possible to combine national expertise with advanced international knowledge, technologies, and scientific approaches.
The implementation of such joint activities constitutes a practical contribution by the Republic of Tajikistan to the International Decade of Cryospheric Sciences 2025–2034. This international initiative is aimed at advancing scientific research, strengthening observation systems, and promoting international cooperation in the study of the cryosphere.
The next stage of the work will involve the integration of the Gorbunov Automatic Meteorological Station into international monitoring networks. This will enable data collected in the high-mountain environment to be incorporated into global information-exchange systems and used in regional and international climate-change research.
In the longer term, the full restoration and modernization of the station’s infrastructure is envisaged, with its further development into an International High-Mountain Glaciological Research Base. In this capacity, the Gorbunov Station could become a permanent centre for comprehensive observations, providing regular monitoring of glaciers, snow cover, hydrometeorological factors, and other components of the Pamir cryosphere.
This initiative will provide an important foundation for strengthening Tajikistan’s national cryosphere monitoring system, while also promoting international cooperation, data exchange, and scientific research into glacier change across Central Asia.
11.09.2026