From 29 to 31 May 2025, a high-level international conference on glacier conservation was held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, bringing together leading politicians, scientists, policy makers and international organisations to address the accelerated retreat of glaciers and its implications for water security, ecosystems and climate resilience.
The conference was organised under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with international partners and served as a global platform for the exchange of scientific knowledge, political solutions and regional cooperation strategies for the protection of glaciers.
The conference programme included:
- Opening and closing ceremonies in the presence of high-level dignitaries
- Plenary sessions emphasising the scientific and political urgency of glacier loss
- Roundtables with leading personalities that addressed transboundary cooperation and international funding mechanisms
- Thematic sessions exploring the role of glaciers in climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, loss and damage, and monitoring needs
- The pre-conference day (29 May), which included forums, side events and cultural activities and promoted dialogue, networking and cross-sectoral engagement
From Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Dr Muhammad Usman and Matthias Völkel, both from the Department of Geoecology, attended the conference as part of the Green Central Asia Phase II project. The project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and coordinated by GIZ, aims to strengthen regional resilience to climate change through science-based instruments, policy dialogue and institutional cooperation.
The conference concluded with an urgent call for international cooperation, increased investment in research and the development of early warning systems and climate adaptation plans for glacier-fed regions, particularly in Central Asia, where millions of people depend on glacier meltwater for agriculture, energy and drinking water.
