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Tazeen Akhtar from DUSHANBE \/ Tajikistan<\/p>\nTazeen Akhtar from DUSHANBE \/ Tajikistan<\/p>\n
The High-Level International Conference dedicated to Glaciers\u2019 Preservation being held from 29 to 31 May 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan has facilitated the engagement of the decision makers of different countries, international experts, organizations, institutions to the discussions on advancing the climate related agenda with the special focus on glaciers.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO and Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have issued welcoming messages for the participants .<\/p>\n
The Conference is being hosted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with UN Agencies and other partners according to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A\/RES\/77\/158 adopted on 14 December 2022 declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. This initiative of President Emomali Rahmon is a testament to Tajikistan’s commitment to raising awareness and expanding international cooperation to tackle the impact of climate change on glaciers and water resources.<\/p>\n
The adoption of the UN resolution declaring 2025-2034 as the International Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences is a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen scientific understanding and develop effective strategies for glacier preservation.<\/p>\n
Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, Prime-Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan has said , ”<\/p>\n
This conference is going to be a pivotal point in collective efforts of international community to address the pressing issue of glaciers\u2019 preservation, which is inextricably linked with global warming. The Conference will provide a unique platform and excellent opportunity for the world community to raise awareness of and to promote and facilitate actions and sustainable measures towards preserving glaciers, as well as its integrated management at all levels through transformative glaciers-related actions and commitments. The Prime Minister said, the participation of the international experts will enhance our endeavors and contribute to raising global awareness about the critical role of glaciers in the context of climate change, and lead to successful implementation of the International Year of Glaciers\u2019 Preservation 2025.<\/p>\n
This conference is going to be a pivotal point in collective efforts of international community to address the pressing issue of glaciers\u2019 preservation, which is inextricably linked with global warming. The Conference will provide a unique platform and excellent opportunity for the world community to raise awareness of and to promote and facilitate actions and sustainable measures towards preserving glaciers, as well as its integrated management at all levels through transformative glaciers-related actions and commitments.<\/p>\n
Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO , in her message, thanked the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for hosting this International Conference.<\/p>\n
The Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan, as well as the Tian Shan and the Hindu KushHimalayas, are home to an extensive network of glaciers \u2014 including some of the largest in the world \u2014 and glacial lakes.<\/p>\n
Glacial and polar regions cover only 10% of the Earth\u2019s surface, but they are essential for all life on our planet. They play a vital role in regulating the climate and store about 70% of the world\u2019s freshwater.<\/p>\n
Climate disruption affects every aspect of life on earth \u2014 and glaciers are no exception. Rising global temperatures cause accelerated melting of glacial ice, putting our planet\u2019s \u201cwhite lung\u201d at significant risk.<\/p>\n
Recognizing the global impact of these glaciers and the urgency of addressing their rapid melting, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers\u2019 Preservation, on the initiative of Tajikistan \u2014 bringing water and cryosphere issues to the forefront of the international agenda.<\/p>\n
She added, at UNESCO, we are committed to glacier preservation, with glaciers present in over 120 UNESCO-designated sites, including biosphere reserves, global geoparks and world heritage sites.<\/p>\n
In fact, a 2022 UNESCO study highlighted that the glaciers in one third of these world heritage sites are projected to disappear by 2050 \u2014 a stark reminder of the need for bold and immediate climate action.<\/p>\n
This is why we are committed to advancing education and scientific research and fostering multilateral cooperation on this critical issue.<\/p>\n
A worldwide inventory of existing perennial ice and snow masses was first proposed during the International Hydrological Decade, led by UNESCO almost 60 years ago.<\/p>\n
Yet, wide gaps remain in glacier monitoring and water resource management \u2014 and closing these gaps is a key priority for UNESCO as we coordinate the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, which began this year. Today, as environmental challenges intensify, the need to tackle these issues \u2014 to share knowledge and develop strategies to safeguard the world\u2019s glaciers for future generations \u2014 has never been more pressing.<\/p>\n
Together, let us recognize the urgency of taking global, coordinated action to preserve our world\u2019s natural heritage. \/<\/p>\n
Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO, said , ”<\/p>\n
As global temperatures rise, the melting of glaciers is accelerating at an alarming rate. The State of Global Water Resources 2023 report reveals that glaciers lost over 600 gigatons of water in 2023, the largest mass loss recorded in the past 50 years. While this may temporarily increase downstream water availability, it underscores a critical long-term concern: the reduction in water stored as snow and ice will have profound consequences for the availability of water resources for people, ecosystems, and economies. This highlights the urgent need to stabilize the climate through collective action focused on monitoring, understanding, and mitigating these changes.<\/p>\n
A major milestone in this effort is the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A\/RES\/77\/158, which declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers\u2019 Preservation (IYGP 2025) and designated 21 March as the annual World Day for Glaciers (WGD), starting in 2025. This resolution entrusts WMO and UNESCO to co-facilitate the implementation of the IYGP and the observance of the WGD, in cooperation with governments, relevant United Nations organizations and other stakeholders. Together, we are mobilizing global efforts to raise awareness and drive action throughout 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n
The World Meteorological Organization emphasizes that glacier monitoring, research, and related services in high mountain and polar regions are critical priorities for WMO. Observing, predicting, and effectively communicating glacier changes are vital to mitigating their impacts on people, economies, and ecosystems. The melting of glaciers increases risks of hazards such as landslides and glacial lake outburst floods, while also disrupting hydrological and ecological systems. The UN Early Warnings for All initiative, co-led by WMO in collaboration with many partners, aims to enhance protection against these hazards, fostering resilience for communities worldwide.<\/p>\n
Addressing the urgent challenges posed by the climate crisis requires strong political leadership and inclusive, equitable policies rooted in transparent and collaborative dialogues. Therefore, WMO commends Tajikistan\u2019s leadership in hosting this important international conference. This event will serve as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. It aims to enhance global efforts in strengthening glacier monitoring networks, disaster management and developing effective policies to address the far-reaching impacts of rapid glacier melt. Moreover, it will promote the exchange of knowledge and innovative strategies.<\/p>\n
Finally, she expressed confidence that the participants of the\u00a0 conference will add valuable perspectives and help to build the ambitious, inspiring future we strive to achieve for the generations to come.<\/p>\n
WMO remains committed to advancing collective action on glacier-related issues to strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable development for all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tazeen Akhtar from DUSHANBE \/ Tajikistan The High-Level International Conference dedicated to Glaciers\u2019 Preservation being held from 29 to 31 May 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan has facilitated the engagement of the decision makers of different countries, international experts, organizations, institutions to the discussions on advancing the climate related agenda with the special focus on glaciers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5623,83],"tags":[697,1103,6156,7093,177,759,7160],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47081"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47081"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47085,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47081\/revisions\/47085"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}