ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 9. A seminar focused on monitoring glacier conditions in the face of climate change took place in the capital of Turkmenistan, featuring participants from environmental and hydrometeorological ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, Trend reports.
The glaciers of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which are known as the "water towers" of Central Asia, are experiencing significant reductions due to aridification and rising temperatures.
Although Turkmenistan does not have glaciers, the country heavily relies on the water flow of the Amu Darya River, which meets 90 percent of its freshwater needs, particularly for agriculture.
The Regional Project on the Cryosphere in Central Asia, set to run from 2022 to 2026, aims to enhance scientific cooperation among Central Asian states. It promotes the development of adaptive strategies, fosters the exchange of experiences in water management, and improves disaster response efforts.
Additionally, the project plans to implement new technologies and raise awareness among the public and private sectors regarding climate change issues.
Cooperation among Central Asian countries in studying and preserving the cryosphere is crucial for ensuring sustainable development and adapting to climate change, which is particularly important for maintaining the region's water resources and preventing natural disasters," emphasized Pirli Kepbanov, Director of the National Institute of Deserts, Plants, and Animals of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.
To note, the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, in partnership with the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program, initiated a project at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris in July 2023, which focuses on strengthening climate change resilience in Central Asian countries.
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