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...