Central Asia’s cryosphere and climate change take center stage at Turkmenistan Workshop
On October 8-9, 2024, a national workshop took place in Ashgabat, marking the conclusion of a series of workshops organized under the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO project "Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries through Regional Cooperation on the Assessment of Glacio-Nival Systems to Develop Integrated Sustainable Development and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies." This workshop was the last in a line of national sessions held across the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, all aimed at tackling the challenges posed by a changing cryosphere and climate in the region.
Bringing together cryosphere researchers, data specialists, and policymakers, the event provided a platform to discuss the status of the cryosphere in Central Asian countries and share expertise on monitoring and research challenges. By providing a clearer understanding of the status of the cryosphere in upstream countries, the workshop aimed to propose solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on the cryosphere in Turkmenistan. It was conducted using the GEF IW:LEARN methodology for Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Plans (TDA/SAP).
Chinar Rustamova, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, set the tone for the discussions, emphasizing Turkmenistan’s commitment to collaborating with international partners like the UN and UNESCO. She highlighted the urgency of managing water resources in a changing climate. “The dynamics of global warming lead to the reduction and melting of glaciers, which disrupts the planet’s water balance, including our region’s, where water levels in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers are declining,” – Chinar Rustamova shared.
Pirli Kepbanov, Director of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora, and Fauna under the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, emphasized the crucial role of the cryosphere in sustaining the region’s water resources. “While our country lacks permafrost, we, like many others, depend heavily on the water flow from the Amu Darya’s tributaries, which originate in the Pamir and Hindu Kush mountain ranges,” he explained. He noted that the glaciers in these ranges, which form part of the Aral Sea basin, are particularly vulnerable to dust and sandstorms, leading to accelerated melting. This melting impacts the flow of the Amu Darya, which is essential for the Karakum River—a source that supplies up to 90% of Turkmenistan's freshwater needs, including those of the agricultural sector.
The workshop was especially engaging and interactive, with discussions that focused on exploring the perspectives and interests of stakeholders, raising awareness, building capacity, and planning pilot activities in Turkmenistan in the framework of the project. Nana Baramidze, the Project Manager, described the atmosphere at the event: “The workshop was filled with interactive discussions, which facilitated an active exchange of experiences and the development of concrete next steps.”
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Contact: For more information, please contact [Nana Baramidze]: [n.baramidze@unesco.org]
About the project: This workshop is part of a larger initiative, "Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries through Regional Cooperation on the Assessment of Glacio-Nival Systems to Develop Integrated Sustainable Development and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies." The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP and implemented by UNESCO, aims to address the region’s critical environmental challenge: the degradation of snow, glacier, and permafrost systems (glacio-nival systems), which are vital sources of water for Central Asian countries. These systems play a crucial role in supporting agriculture, energy, and everyday water supply, making their preservation essential for the livelihoods of millions.
By fostering regional cooperation, the project encourages Central Asian nations to develop joint strategies for managing and protecting their shared water resources, especially as climate change continues to threaten the stability of these glacio-nival systems. The outcomes of the Ashgabat workshop will feed into broader regional strategies, helping countries adapt to future changes in the cryosphere and strengthen their resilience to climate impacts.
For more information on the project, please contact the Project Manager, Nana Baramidze (n.baramidze@unesco.org), and visit the project page on iwlearn.net.
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