Tajikistan has reported the complete melting of over 1,000 of its 13,000 glaciers in recent decades. These glaciers are crucial for Central Asia, providing up to 60% of the region’s water resources. President Emomali Rahmon addressed this issue during the third Voice of Global South Summit on August 17, held virtually under the chairmanship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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President Rahmon announced that Tajikistan’s proposal to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation has been fully supported by the international community. Additionally, the UN General Assembly has approved March 21 as World Glaciers’ Day, starting next year. In 2025, Tajikistan will host the International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation to further discuss and address glacier conservation.
Tajikistan’s geographical features, with 93% of its land covered by mountains, make it highly vulnerable to climate change. The country experiences frequent natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and avalanches, which result in significant economic damage and occasional fatalities. According to Rustam Nazarzada, head of Tajikistan’s committee for emergencies and civil defence, the economic losses from natural disasters this year have surpassed $12mn.
In response, Tajikistan is implementing a National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, which aims to minimize the adverse effects on the country’s socio-economic conditions by 2030.
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