Climate Change - The Times Of Central Asia

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Experts Warn Tajikistan’s Melting Glaciers Threaten Regional Food Security

From May 29 to 31, Dushanbe is hosting the first-ever International Conference on Glacier Preservation. The event has drawn more than 2,500 representatives from 80 countries to the Tajik capital. On the eve of the forum, alarming data was released: Tajikistan has lost more than 1,000 glaciers over the past 23 years, a trend that jeopardizes food security for millions across Central Asia. Glaciers in Retreat, Climate in Crisis Tajikistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Dilrabo Mansuri noted that average air temperatures in the country have risen between 0.7°C and 1.9°C over the past 65 years, depending on the region. In the same period, glaciers have lost 20% of their volume and 30% of their area. “The disappearance of glaciers is not a distant threat, but a constant crisis,” emphasized Agasi Arutyunyan, the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) representative in Tajikistan. Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection, highlighted the increasing frequency of natural disasters, landslides, droughts, and floods, that threaten both the economy and daily life. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that up to 27% of regional water resources could be lost, with children and vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, stressed the need for immediate resource mobilization and reliance on scientific data. Her UN colleague, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, proposed a regional meeting ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference to build momentum. Agriculture Under Climate Stress Adham Musallam, Director of the World Food Programme in Tajikistan, reiterated that more than 1,000 glaciers have vanished since 2000, leading to water shortages and degradation of arable land. Forum participants underscored the urgency of adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices. Tajikistan is home to around 14,000 glaciers, with a combined volume exceeding 845 km³. Approximately 1,000 glaciers have disappeared over the last 150 years. The Vangjakh glacier, for example, is retreating by more than 16 meters annually. According to UNEP, Central Asia could lose over 50% of its glaciers by 2050, endangering the water supply of more than 70 million people. Tajik glaciers currently contribute over 80% of the Amu Darya’s flow, 1% of the Syr Darya’s, and around 64 km³ to the Aral Sea basin. Their decline could severely disrupt the region’s water balance and worsen shortages in neighboring countries. Regional Initiatives and Scientific Collaboration The forum emphasized the importance of inclusive climate action, particularly the leadership roles of women and youth. Yasmine Siddiqui of the Asian Development Bank stated, “Women must not only be participants, but also leaders in environmental decisions.” New initiatives included the launch of the Blue World of Central Asia 2.0 project and promotion of the WEFE Nexus approach, integrating water, energy, food, and ecosystem management to enhance cross-border cooperation. Participants also discussed establishing a regional glaciology coordination center, expanding satellite glacier monitoring, and leveraging science diplomacy to mitigate climate risks. The melting of Central Asia’s glaciers is no longer a future concern, it is a present-day crisis impacting water availability, food production, public health, and...

Climate Change Environment Natural Resource Management adaptation plan Central Asian Climate Conference

Two Key Environmental Initiatives Completed in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has marked the successful completion of two major agro-environmental initiatives aimed at enhancing natural resource management and climate change adaptation. These efforts represent significant progress in addressing environmental challenges both nationally and across the broader Central Asian region. Regional Project on Natural Resource Management The first project concluded was the second phase of the regional program titled “Integrated Natural Resource Management in Drought-Prone and Salinized Agricultural Production Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey,” which commenced in 2018. This initiative focused on pilot sites in the Karakum Desert, the mountain village of Nokhur, and the Turkmen sector of the Aral Sea region. Key achievements include the establishment of mini GIS laboratories at the Scientific and Information Center under the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development, the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna, and within the environmental control departments of the Ministry of Agriculture. These facilities are now equipped with modern tools to support research and monitoring efforts. The project also delivered resource-efficient agricultural equipment, drought-resistant seeds and seedlings, water pumps for various intakes, and rapid soil analysis equipment to agricultural universities. Twenty wells and sardobs (traditional water reservoirs) were constructed for livestock centers and nurseries utilizing drip irrigation systems. Additionally, the project cleaned parts of the collector drainage system and developed reclamation plans to rehabilitate degraded land. Another notable contribution was the continued publication of the international scientific journal “Problems of Desert Development,” which has been issued in Ashgabat since 1967. National Climate Change Adaptation Plan The second completed initiative, “Development of the National Adaptation Planning Process in Turkmenistan”, was carried out by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund. Launched in 2021, the project sought to implement the National Climate Change Strategy by defining specific adaptation measures and implementation mechanisms. The initiative resulted in the development of a comprehensive Roadmap for implementing the National Adaptation Plan, the creation of a national climate finance concept, and new guidelines for integrating climate adaptation into water resource management. These tools aim to bolster Turkmenistan’s resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. Central Asian Climate Conference in Ashgabat From May 13 to 15, Ashgabat will host the Seventh Central Asian Conference on Climate Change (CACCC-2025), organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) with support from the World Bank, CAWEP, RESILAND Tajikistan, and GIZ. CACCC-2025 will serve as a key regional platform to transform climate ambitions into actionable strategies. The agenda includes mobilizing financial resources for adaptation and mitigation, enhancing regional cooperation, and sharing best practices. Participants will engage in plenary sessions, thematic panels, and field visits to sites that exemplify successful adaptation measures. One of the conference’s strategic goals is to develop a plan for increasing regional climate finance by 25% over the next five years. Delegates are also expected to present updated national contributions (NDCs 3.0) under the Paris Agreement and promote cross-border cooperation for sustainable development. With the region facing accelerating climate threats, such as...

Climate Change March Heatwave weather agricultural risks

Central Asia Endures Record-Breaking March Heatwave Attributed to Climate Change

Central Asia experienced an unprecedented heatwave in March 2025, with temperatures soaring to levels typically seen in late spring or summer. According to a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), cities across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan recorded daytime highs near or above 30°C, far above the seasonal norm. In Kyrgyzstan's Jalalabad, the temperature peaked at 30.8°C, while Uzbekistan's Namangan and Fergana registered 29.4°C and 29.1°C, respectively. Kazakhstan’s Shahdara witnessed a nighttime low of 18.3°C, the hottest March night ever recorded in the country. Researchers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom examined the five hottest days and nights in March across the region. Their findings indicate that human-induced climate change made the heatwave approximately 4°C hotter and nearly three times more likely. They also noted that climate models tend to underestimate early-season heat, particularly in March. Economic and Agricultural Risks The timing of the heatwave posed serious challenges for agriculture. In Kazakhstan, the spike in temperatures coincided with the start of spring wheat planting, while in neighboring countries, fruit trees were already in bloom, raising concerns about yield losses. Agriculture remains a critical sector in the region, employing up to 50% of the workforce in some countries and contributing between 5% and 24% to GDP. The region also depends heavily on glacier-fed irrigation systems. Unseasonably warm weather can accelerate snowmelt, depleting water reserves needed during peak agricultural demand later in the season. In response to declining glacier volumes, seven artificial glaciers were built in southern Kyrgyzstan's Batken region in late autumn 2024 to support future water needs. A Warming Future The WWA study warns that without significant emissions reductions, such heatwaves will become increasingly frequent and intense. If global warming reaches 2.6°C, events like March 2025 could become far more common. Governments in Central Asia are beginning to take action. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, for example, have integrated heat-related risks into their national climate adaptation plans. Still, experts urge a broader, more coordinated regional response, calling for the use of heat-tolerant crops, enhanced early warning systems, and climate-conscious urban planning.

Desertification Amu Darya Aral Culture Summit Climate Action Aral Sea Karakalpakstan Climate Change

Culture, Climate, and Clean Water: Summit Outlines New Efforts to Restore the Aral Sea Region

From April 4 to 6, the first Aral Culture Summit took place in Karakalpakstan, bringing together local and international scientists, artists, and activists. Their goal: to find creative ways to support the social and environmental recovery of the Aral Sea region. The summit is the first in a series of global cultural initiatives taking place throughout 2025 and supported by Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. Scheduled to be held every 18 months, the summit is designed to act as a space for exchanging ideas and building new solutions. This year’s program included panels, cultural events, and a pop-up market featuring local artists and businesses. It focused on how art, design, and science can help Karakalpakstan grow in sustainable ways and attract new eco-friendly businesses. [caption id="attachment_30519" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Summit opening in Samarkand; image: ACDF[/caption] The first day of the summit was linked with the Samarkand International Climate Forum, which was attended by over 2,000 foreign guests, including top officials from the European Union, the United Nations, and Central Asian governments. They discussed urgent climate problems in the region, including desertification, water shortages, and rising temperatures. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about steps being taken to slow land degradation. “To reduce the area of degraded lands and mitigate the consequences of climate change, Uzbekistan has been carrying out large-scale greening in the framework of the Yashil Makon project. Additionally, over two million hectares of the deserted Aral Sea region is now covered with drought-resistant plants,” he said. Mirziyoyev also warned that water shortages will increase in the region by 2040 and stressed the need for stronger cooperation, telling those assembled, “We urge our partners to join the efforts and launch a Regional Program for Implementation of Water Saving Technologies in Central Asia.” Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also shared concerns about climate challenges, pointing out that the "temperature in the region is rising twice as fast as the global average.” Tokayev highlighted joint efforts with Uzbekistan to green the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. “Central Asia is profoundly affected by the global climate crisis,” Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) told those in attendance. “Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and intensified droughts are severely impacting agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods across our region. No example illustrates this better than the tragedy of the Aral Sea. But healing the land goes hand in hand with healing communities.” [caption id="attachment_30521" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Desert ship, Moynaq; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] A striking example of the shrinking of the Aral Sea is the forgotten hamlet of Moynaq. At its peak, the town was home to 60,000 people, mostly fishermen and their extended families, with the Aral Sea producing up to 30% of the Soviet catch and saving Russia from widespread famine in the 1920s. Accessible only by air and ferry well into the 1970s, Moynaq also served as a popular beach resort for well-heeled bureaucrats, its airport hosting fifty flights a day at its peak. By the...

Climate Change UNEP Kyrgyzstan

New UNEP Atlas Highlights Kyrgyzstan’s Climate Vulnerability

Amid intensifying climate impacts, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Atlas of Environmental Change for Kyrgyzstan on March 26, offering a comprehensive assessment of the country's growing environmental risks and response strategies. Warming at Twice the Global Rate According to the Atlas, average annual temperatures in Kyrgyzstan have increased by 1.2°C between 1960 and 2023, double the global average of 0.6°C. This accelerated warming has exacerbated water scarcity and the likelihood of natural disasters, a trend expected to intensify in the coming decades. While water availability declines, demand continues to rise, particularly in agriculture. The report stresses the urgent need for robust climate adaptation measures, including reducing irrigation losses, upgrading early warning systems, and improving pasture management. Currently, an estimated 70% of Kyrgyzstan’s pastures are degraded. Declining Water Resources Hydropower accounts for up to 93% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity generation. But as the climate shifts, rainfall patterns, snow cover, and glaciers are changing, threatening the water inflows that power these systems. Water flow into the Toktogul Reservoir, which feeds the country’s largest hydroelectric plant, could decrease by as much as 18.8% by 2050. This poses a serious threat not only to energy security but also to regional cooperation, as Kyrgyzstan lies upstream of many major Central Asian rivers. The report underscores the importance of transboundary water management. Disasters on the Rise Natural disasters are also becoming more frequent and severe. On average, Kyrgyzstan experiences around 200 emergencies per year, 90% of which are linked to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, mudslides, rockfalls, and avalanches. In 2022 alone, nearly 150 lives were lost to natural disasters. Between 2012 and 2018, the average annual economic loss from such events reached $27 million. Conservation Achievements Despite the mounting risks, the Atlas also highlights Kyrgyzstan’s environmental progress. Forest cover has increased from 6.2% in 2000 to 6.9% in 2023, a significant feat given the country's mountainous terrain. Protected areas have expanded from 0.5 million hectares in 2000 to 1.5 million hectares, with plans to increase this to 10% of national territory by 2040, safeguarding up to 65% of species listed on the IUCN Red List. All forests in Kyrgyzstan are protected from commercial logging. Notably, the creation of the Khan Teniri Nature Park has expanded snow leopard habitat in the Central Tien Shan mountains by 40%. A Tool for Climate Policy The UNEP Atlas offers Kyrgyz policymakers a vital evidence base for sustainable environmental management and climate adaptation. It is designed to guide future strategies as the country faces mounting ecological and socio-economic pressures.

Climate Change Climate Emergency Aral Sea Access to Clean Water Food Security

Climate Change – A Catalyst for Poverty and Environmental Degradation in Central Asia

Climate change encapsulates the gradual yet profound shifts in temperature and weather patterns over extended periods. While these changes can arise naturally from various phenomena — such as fluctuations in solar energy or significant volcanic eruptions — the advent of the industrial age in the 1800s marked a pivotal point where human influence became the predominant force driving climate change. This influence stems chiefly from burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas. The combustion of these fuels releases vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, creating a thick layer that envelops the Earth and traps heat from the sun, resulting in a steady rise in global temperatures. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the most significant greenhouse gases contributing to this crisis. Carbon dioxide predominantly emerges from driving gasoline-powered vehicles and burning coal for heating. Additionally, the widespread practices of deforestation and land conversion continue to elevate carbon dioxide levels. Methane, meanwhile, is primarily produced through agricultural practices and the extraction processes associated with the oil and gas industries. The sectors that bear the heaviest burden in terms of greenhouse gas emissions include energy production, industrial processes, transportation, building operations, agriculture, and land use changes. The ramifications of this unfolding climate crisis are dire, especially for the world’s most vulnerable populations, particularly those residing in poverty. According to alarming insights from the World Bank, the 74 countries with the lowest income levels contribute a mere one-tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, ironically, these nations are poised to endure the harshest repercussions of climate change. Over the past ten years, they have experienced an astounding surge in natural disasters, facing approximately eight times the frequency of such events compared to the 1980s. The effects on the lives of vulnerable populations are profound and far-reaching. Many face severe health challenges, including the prevalence of illnesses exacerbated by inadequate healthcare access. Erratic water supply creates a critical situation, often resulting in polluted drinking water that can lead to waterborne diseases. Additionally, the standard of education for these communities tends to be alarmingly poor, limiting future opportunities for young individuals. Many are forced to relocate as refugees, fleeing conflict and instability, which further complicates their lives. Moreover, those who find employment often encounter hazardous working conditions that put their safety and well-being at significant risk. Climate change presents profound security challenges for Central Asia, a region grappling with the dual threats of environmental shifts and social vulnerabilities. The interplay of climate change with existing fragility intensifies the risks to peace, stability, and security across the globe. This convergence will exacerbate human insecurity and escalate socio-economic and political instability. As a result of these changing climatic conditions, critical resources such as water, food, and energy face increasing threats. Countries already characterized by vulnerability — those grappling with conflict or instability — are among the most likely to experience detrimental effects. For instance, reports indicate severe drought conditions have led to a 30-40% decrease in agricultural production in some Central Asian...