Tajikistan warns of glacier loss crisis, urges global action at UN event
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — Tajikistan has raised alarms over the rapid disappearance of glaciers, warning of severe water shortages and calling for urgent global action during a high-level event at the United Nations Headquarters on March 21, Daryo News reported.
The session brought together representatives from the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and other key institutions to address growing water-related challenges. Tajikistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, highlighted that global glacier loss in 2023 exceeded all records of the past 50 years, with an estimated 600 gigatons of water lost. He warned that Tajikistan’s 1,300 glaciers have already disappeared entirely, threatening the country’s role as the “water tower of the region” for Central Asia.
Muhriddin stressed the cross-border impact of climate change, urging swift implementation of commitments made at the 2023 UN Water Conference and calling for active participation in the 2026 and 2028 UN Water Conferences. He also emphasized the growing recognition of the “Dushanbe Water Process” as a critical platform for advancing sustainable water management and climate adaptation efforts.
Participants were briefed on preparations for the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, scheduled for May 29–31, 2025, in Dushanbe. The conference aims to foster global cooperation on glacier protection and produce key outcome documents—including the Dushanbe Declaration, Chair’s Summary, and Dushanbe Call—which are expected to shape the COP30 climate agenda in Brazil.
The crisis poses a direct threat to Tajikistan’s economy. According to the Green Climate Fund, glacial and snowmelt water generates 98% of the country’s electricity through hydropower. Without urgent action, the economic consequences will be severe. Annual land degradation costs are projected to rise beyond the current estimate of $325 million, while climate-related disruptions to infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock productivity could shrink Tajikistan’s GDP by 5-6% by 2050.
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