On April 23, a key session dedicated to glacier melting in Central Asia will be held in Astana as part of the Regional Environmental Summit (RES).

Representatives of UNESCO, profile ministries of Kazakhstan, and regional experts will discuss joint actions to prevent an environmental crisis.

The issue of the cryosphere (glaciers and snow cover) is currently critical for the entire Central Asian region. According to pessimistic forecasts, the region may lose up to 85% of its glacier volume by 2100. This would inevitably lead to a shortage of drinking water, threats to agriculture, and an increase in natural disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods.

What will experts discuss?

The main topic of the meeting will be the Joint Subregional Action Programme (JSAP). This plan will enable countries in the region to:

• Establish shared monitoring of glaciers and permafrost.

• Coordinate the use of water resources under climate change conditions.

• Implement unified tools for environmental risk assessment.

Why does it matter?

Glacier melting is not just a scientific issue but a serious challenge to food and energy security in the region. The session is expected to result in a Joint Statement by Central Asian countries. This document will serve as a legal and political foundation for attracting major international investments and grants from global financial institutions to implement environmental projects.

Kazakhstan’s initiative within RES 2026 aims to transform scientific concerns into real interstate mechanisms for protecting ecosystems that millions of people depend on.

ORIENT