Translated with AI
On May 30, the first International High-Level Conference on Glacier Protection was held in Dushanbe, in which the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Raahmon took part, the press service of the head of state reported.
The forum venue – Kokhi Somon, the residence of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan – brought together more than 2,500 highly qualified experts from 80 countries, heads of government delegations from a number of countries, high-ranking representatives of regional and international organizations, research institutes and development partners.
The event began with a joint photo session of the President of the country Emomali Rahmon with the heads of delegations participating in the first International High-Level Conference on Glacier Conservation.
It should be noted that more than 450 representatives of domestic and foreign media, including 150 journalists from foreign agencies, were accredited to cover the conference.
The President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon took part and delivered a speech at the opening of the first International High-Level Conference on Glacier Conservation.
Emomali Rahmon warmly welcomed the participants of the high-level conference in Tajikistan and wished the conference success.
The head of state called the conference an important step towards implementing the United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the “International Year of Glacier Conservation.”
It was emphasized that today's event will become a platform for useful dialogue and exchange of opinions on this vital topic.
Emomali Rahmon drew the attention of experts to the problem of accelerated melting of glaciers, which has today become one of the global crises of our time, and described this phenomenon as an unprecedented trend in the history of mankind.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, analyzing climate change, the unprecedented shrinkage of glaciers and its catastrophic consequences for the world's population, emphasized the need for joint efforts by the international community to find ways to solve this problem.
It was emphasized that Tajikistan, which has the largest glaciers in Central Asia, is now directly facing this crisis.
The head of state noted that the shrinking glaciers threaten not only our natural heritage, but also the lives of millions of people in the region.
It was proposed to actively develop effective cooperation with all partners for the comprehensive monitoring of glaciers, as well as for the planning and implementation of urgent measures for their conservation.
In this context, the need for intellectual innovation as well as financial and technical support was emphasized.
It was noted that Tajikistan's glaciers are not only the main source of water supply for the rivers of Central Asia, but also play a key role in maintaining the region's climate stability, while also having an important significance for the global climate.
Considering that more than 60 percent of the region’s glaciers are located in Tajikistan, it was also proposed to organize, together with development partners and research institutes, a comprehensive expedition to study Tajikistan’s glaciers and create a regional glaciological laboratory in our country.
All partners and stakeholders are called upon to support this initiative in order to make a worthy contribution to the implementation of the “Decade of Action in Cryospheric Sciences 2025-2034”.
The head of state noted that over the past twenty years, Tajikistan has been actively promoting the water and climate agenda in the international arena, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for an urgent and joint response to the problem of preserving glaciers.
Emomali Rahmon recalled that, given the importance of this issue, at the initiative of Tajikistan and based on the UN General Assembly resolution, 2025 was declared the International Year of Glacier Conservation, and March 21 was declared World Glacier Day. The International Trust Fund for Glacier Protection was established under the UN.
It was considered important that States and international and regional organizations increase their financial contribution to ensure the effective operation of this Fund.
The President of the country made an explanation on the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan and France to adopt a UN resolution on the proclamation of 2025–2034 as the “Decade of Action in Cryospheric Sciences”.
The head of our state stressed the need to take urgent measures to protect glaciers and proposed a number of initiatives. In particular, raising awareness of the global community about the vital role of glaciers, strengthening international cooperation, organizing comprehensive monitoring and scientific research to better understand the processes of glacier melting and their impact on global climate change, ensuring food security, as well as the importance of implementing joint initiatives to eliminate the social and economic consequences of accelerated glacier melting, electricity production and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
The country's President Emomali Rahmon also proposed that measures to preserve glaciers be further coordinated.
The head of state also proposed developing a global strategy for protecting glaciers at the global level.
In conclusion of his speech, President Emomali Rahmon noted that the results of today's Conference, including the Dushanbe Declaration and the participants' appeal, will serve as a call for active action by the global community aimed at contributing to the most important global processes in the field of water resources, climate and sustainable development.
Following Emomali Rahmon’s speech, speeches were made by high-ranking heads of government delegations from a number of countries, international and regional organizations, including Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammadreza Aureef, First Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Constantino Chiwenga, Vice-President of the Republic of Gambia Mohammed Jallow, Vice-President of the Republic of Maldives Hussein Mohammed Latif, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Celeste Saulo, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO Lydia Brito, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Catherine Mary Russell, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank Ingmin Yang and Vice-President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Ajay Bhushan, who highly praised the global Tajikistan's initiatives in addressing issues related to glaciers and their conservation.
The results of the First International High-Level Conference on Glacier Protection are expected to include the Dushanbe Declaration on Glaciers, the Dushanbe Call and the Final Chairman's Statement.
