Tajikistan is a mountainous, landlocked country in Central Asia, home to the vast Pamir Mountains and an abundance of water resources, including glaciers and rivers. It holds significant freshwater reserves, largely fed by glacial melt and high-altitude precipitation. Water is a vital resource for Tajikistan’s economy, especially for hydropower, agriculture and regional stability. In international arena Tajikistan is known initiator state with special opportunities as like as strategic geographic location with abundant water resources, potential to lead regional dialogue and cooperation on shared water issues, growing international attention and support for climate and water projects as well.
In this regard, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, has always thought about the future of the nation and humanity, raised many issues and taken many measures to resolve them.
The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, was the author of 4 global initiatives until 2021: “International Year of Fresh Water 2003”, “International Year of Water Cooperation 2013”, “International Decade of Action for Water for Life 2005-2015”, “International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”.
Especially, on March 3, 2021, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, participated in the first meeting of the High-Level Panel on Water and Climate. The event was chaired by the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization Petteri Taalas. The event was attended by many presidents and heads of government. In his speech, Emomali Rahmon touched upon water and climate issues. He stressed that the main reason for climate change is the intense melting of glaciers due to global warming. Unfortunately, accelerated ice melting in various parts of the planet – in the Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland is observed. Significant changes are noticed on continental glaciers as well. Emomali Rahmon talked about the current state of Tajik glaciers and emphasized that a similar situation is developing in Pamir. The melting of the largest Fedchenko glacier in Tajikistan, which is more than 75 kilometers long is clear evidence of this process. Studies show that in the last seventy – eighty (70-80) years alone, the Fedchenko Glacier re-treated by more than 1 km, and has decreased by 44km2. Moreover, it has lost more than 15km3 in volume, and the glacier tongue has been retreating by 16m per year.
It would be noted, that characterizing glaciers as the main source of freshwater, the head of state stressed that their intense melting, along with an increase in water consumption associated with population growth and economic development, could lead to very negative consequences.
That is why, on December 14 2022, the United Nations General Assembly, during its 77th session, unanimously adopted the resolution “2025 – International Year of Glaciers”, which was proposed by the Republic of Tajikistan. It is noteworthy that the next initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, was adopted with the support of 153 UN member states.
According to this Resolution, firstly, the year 2025 was declared the International Year of Glaciers.
Secondly, starting from the beginning of 2025, March 21 will be celebrated as World Glacier Day every year.
Thirdly, in accordance with this Resolution, the United Nations, under the coordination of the Secretary-General of this Organization, will establish a Targeted Trust Fund, i.e. the International Targeted Trust Fund for Glaciers.
Fourthly, in 2025, a High-Level International Conference on Glaciers will be held in Dushanbe.
The adoption of this Resolution, Tajikistan’s fifth initiative, is evidence of the further enhancement of our country’s prestige and authority on the global stage.
“Global climate change, as one of the modern problems, primarily negatively affects the state of glaciers, snow and water resources… The international community is well aware that the further reduction and destruction of drinking water sources on the planet can expose humanity to numerous human, social and economic disasters. In this regard, the international community needs to develop and implement the necessary joint measures to resolve these global issues as soon as possible,” said the President of Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, in his congratulatory message on the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution.
According to experts in the field, the adoption of the Resolution “2025 – International Year of Glacier Conservation” will give a serious impetus to increasing Tajikistan’s position and role in the protection of glaciers and attracting the attention of the world community to this issue. The establishment of the International Trust Fund for Contributions to the Protection of Glaciers is considered by researchers as a solid step towards accelerating the implementation of expeditions on the protection of glaciers. At the same time, the holding of the International Conference on the Protection of Glaciers in Dushanbe in 2025 is considered a good opportunity to present the scientific potential and fundamental opportunities of Tajikistan in the protection of glaciers.
Indeed, Tajikistan emphasizes environmental conservation, including protection of glaciers and river basins, which are crucial for water supply. It aligns its national development goals with climate action, adopting frameworks like the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tajikistan actively participates in regional and international platforms like the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the Central Asian Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC). The country advocates for greater international support and funding for climate resilience and water infrastructure.
Therefore, today the Republic of Tajikistan is recognized in the world arena as an initiative country with its humanitarian efforts, and the salvation of humanity is at the heart of Tajikistan’s initiatives. Tajikistan makes a significant contribution to the regulation of all political, economic and other global processes in the world today, especially the series of Tajikistan’s initiatives in the water sector is unique. At a time when the issue of clean drinking water posed a serious challenge for the world in the new millennium, Tajikistan was the first country to raise the issue of water and climate i.e. providing the population with and access to clean drinking water at the United Nations.
In general, Tajikistan plays a crucial role as an initiator in addressing water and climate challenges in Central Asia and in the world. Through hydropower development, regional cooperation, climate adaptation strategies, and international partnerships, it seeks to secure its water future and contribute to regional stability and sustainable development. Strengthening these initiatives will be essential for Tajikistan’s resilience in the face of climate change. Today, Tajikistan really promotes proactive diplomacy, raises its authority in the international arena and world community as a leading and active country on water issues, environmental sustainability, peace and stable development in the region and in the world as a whole.
We hope that in the future, the humanitarian initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, in the field of water and climate will contribute to the economic and social development of the country and further enhance the authority and global image of Tajikistan in the international arena.
c.h.s., senior teacher of international relations department, faculty of international relations – Payvandov Khayriddin
