The Importance of Glaciers and Innovative Monitoring Methods in the Context of Climate Change Discussed in Tashkent
On September 16–17, 2025, an international scientific conference was held in Tashkent at the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) on the theme: “Innovative Methods for Monitoring Mountain Glaciers under Climate Change and Current Challenges in Glaciology.”
The conference was organized at the initiative of the Hydrometeorological Research Institute (HMRI), with the support of the World Bank’s MUNIS program, UNESCO, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The event was held within the framework of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (2025).
More than 120 scientists and experts from over 10 countries, including Central Asian states, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Australia, took part in the conference. The participants discussed the importance of glaciers in the context of climate change, the use of remote sensing and other innovative technologies for their monitoring, strategies for glacier preservation, as well as modern scientific challenges in the field of glaciology.
According to experts, if current global warming trends continue, by the second half of the 21st century a significant portion of Central Asia’s glaciers may disappear. This would create serious problems for water security and have a negative impact on agriculture and hydropower in the region.
During the event, experts emphasized the need for sustainable glacier monitoring, rational water resource management, and strengthened regional cooperation. Participants also agreed to expand information exchange and develop joint scientific research.
