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international

of glaciation degradation persist, numerous
small glaciers will completely disappear from
the country in the next 30-40 years. The
degradation of glaciation might significantly
affect the water regime of rivers in particular. It
is of particular importance to note that glaciers
and snow inventories are the primary sources
of irrigation water not only in Tajikistan but
throughout Central Asia. Furthermore, the
anticipated rise in the maximum and minimum
daily temperatures will result in an increase in
potential evapotranspiration, which is likely
to lead to an increase in annual rainfall, and a
decrease in snowfall. The annual river flows are
likely to rise, which will increase the frequency
of extreme flood events. This will have an impact
on the gradual shift in the river flow seasonal
distribution, with high flows occurring earlier
in the year due to early ice melting caused by The world community welcomed in a timely
higher temperatures. fashion the initiatives of my Head of State to
preserve glaciers and eliminate water shortages
It should be noted that the intensive melting and thereby warning humanity about significant
of snowfields and glaciers in the country poses changes in the nature.
new and complex tasks. It was also caused to a
certain extent by the drying up of the Aral Sea. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution
Annually thousands of tonnes of dust and salt, on declaration of 2025 as the International Year
lifted by strong winds from the dried bottom of of Glaciers’ Preservation adopted on December
the Aral Sea into the atmosphere, spread to large 14, 2022 at the initiative of the President of
areas. Experts estimate that some of these salts the Republic of Tajikistan is very important
are settles on the Pamir and Tien Shan glaciers, to address water and climate related issues.
contributing to their active melting. Through this Resolution, the United Nations
declared both the International Year for Glaciers’
Do you have a recipe for other glaciers, on how Preservation and World Day of Glaciers, which
to save them? What kind of step/initiative is is one of the most important achievements of
Tajikistan taking? Tajikistan’s foreign policy. In addition, in 2025,
It is important to consider the significance of Dushanbe is scheduled to host a high-level
glaciers as a main source of water to supply the international conference on the preservation of
planet’s population. The accelerated melting of glaciers, which testifies the special position and
glaciers is one of the most alarming global issues leadership of Tajikistan in the field of water and
entailing negative consequences, and this critical climate.
issue should be in the special focus of the world
community. The mentioned resolution also invites
governments, international organizations,
In this regard, we have established the Centre development partners, and donors to contribute
for Glacier Research under the Tajik National to the Trust Fund in support of activities for
Academy of Sciences and my President, H.E. glaciers’ preservation to be coordinated by the
Emomali Rahmon (on 18 March 2021) speaking UN Secretary-General in partnership with
at the opening of the High-Level Meeting to relevant agencies of the United Nations system.
promote the implementation of the water- The primary objective of the fund is to encourage
related goals and targets of 2030 proposed to the support of countries for a prompt response
declare 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ to the accelerated melting of glaciers and its
Preservation. consequences. I would like also to emphasize

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