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Demand for freshwater is rising worldwide, while scarcity continues to intensify, making water insecurity a critical global threat to sustainable development. In Central Asia, the cryosphere — encompassing glaciers, mountain snow, and frozen soil — plays a vital role in regional water resources. It powers hydropower turbines, irrigates downstream agriculture, and supports domestic water needs, including drinking and sanitation, in densely populated valleys and cities. Economic and population growth further escalate water demand, intensifying competition for this essential resource.

Central Asia’s glaciers are found high in the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains, above 3,000 meters. These glaciers vary in size, from small patches to vast formations covering square kilometers. Half of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan lies in these high-altitude regions, which are home to unique plants and animals, including the snow leopard. While these ecosystems are adapted to extreme cold, they are still vulnerable to climate change.

The glaciers, along with snow, permafrost, and underground ice, provide meltwater to the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. However, due to climate change, Central Asia’s glaciers have shrunk by 20–30% over the last 50 years, as noted by the IPCC.

For Central Asia, glaciers are vital long-term natural reserves of freshwater that provide critical water not only in drought years but every summer, when water is most in demand for irrigation. The main river systems of Central Asia are dependent on the melting of snow and ice in their headwaters. Downstream countries with hot and dry climates such as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are highly dependent on water which originates in the upstream zones beyond their borders.

GEF-UNDP-UNESCO project aims to strengthen the adaptation capacity of Central Asian countries to the impact of climate change on the cryosphere through assessment, the promotion of regional cooperation, and stakeholder engagement. The project will strengthen regional cooperation, cooperation among scientists and institutions, and knowledge-sharing and dialogue. The glacier monitoring will inform climate adaptation actions to increase the resilience both of populations and of downstream areas that face climate risks.

A platform will be developed in which Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will share their knowledge and experience in cryosphere monitoring and the impact of melting glaciers on water availability while providing scientific basis to national and regional strategies on climate adaptation. 

As part of the project, the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan organized a national workshop on June 20–21, 2024, in Tashkent. This event represented a critical milestone in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and cryosphere degradation in Central Asia. The workshop focused on fostering regional cooperation and advancing evidence-based strategies for sustainable development.

Building on the success of the subregional workshop held in April 20-24, the event used the GEF IW: LEARN methodology to focus on Uzbekistan's national priorities. Participants included government representatives, researchers, educators, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders, and discussions focused on assessing cryospheric systems, water resources, and climate impacts.

The workshop highlighted the urgent need to monitor glacier and snow resources more effectively, emphasizing the link between cryosphere degradation and regional water security. Ms. Sayyora Abdullaeva from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology shared alarming trends in glacier shrinkage and rising temperatures, while stakeholders discussed integrating cryosphere data into policies to support adaptation and sustainable development. Key priorities included increasing investment in cryosphere research, improving education remote sensing, raising awareness about the cryosphere’s role in water and ecosystems, and strengthening national initiatives to reduce reliance on external donors. The event concluded with actionable recommendations, such as pilot glacier monitoring projects, educational outreach programs, and interdisciplinary research collaborations. By aligning national and regional goals, the workshop laid the foundation for building climate resilience and ensuring sustainable resource management in Central Asia.