Understanding the Central Asian Cryosphere: Workshop Hosted in Kazakhstan
On November 4–5, 2024, a subregional workshop focused on advancing the Diagnostic Analysis development for the Central Asian cryosphere under the impacts of climate change. Held in Almaty, the workshop brought together representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, who collaborated on recommendations for the Diagnostic Analysis (DA) of the cryosphere. The event was organized within the framework of 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," following the methodology of the GEF International Waters strategic action program.
National-Level Approaches
The workshop gathered representatives from Central Asian ministries and agencies responsible for environmental and water resources alongside international and local cryosphere experts and data management specialists. It began with presentations from each country, covering key components of the cryosphere—snow cover, glaciers, and permafrost—and their impacts on water resources, ecosystems, and regional economies. These presentations provided a shared foundation for further discussions and work on recommendations.
Regional Cryosphere Variations and Interconnections
The Central Asian cryosphere is highly diverse, shaped by each country's geographic and climate characteristics. In Tajikistan, glaciers make up a significant portion of the natural landscape and play a vital role in regional water supply. In contrast, in Kazakhstan, glaciers cover less than 0.1% of the territory. In the Kyrgyz Republic, permafrost spans about a third of the country, while in Uzbekistan, it is rare, and in Turkmenistan, it is absent. These differences highlight the importance of exchanging experience and data among countries, allowing for approaches adapted to each unique region.
Climate and Cryosphere Change Scenarios
A major topic on the first day was a presentation by Dr. Martina Barandun, Senior Researcher at the University of Fribourg, who shared results from collaborative work with national partners on cryosphere change scenarios through the end of this century. These scenarios underscore the significant long-term impacts that climate change is projected to have on the region’s water resources and water management.
Developing Recommendations and Next Steps
The workshop’s second day centered on interactive sessions where participants worked on developmental scenarios at national and regional levels. Using the presented climate models, they created two possible outcomes: one based on a business-as-usual model and another incorporating recommended adaptation measures. The outcomes of these discussions will form the basis for DA recommendations and the development of national and subregional action plans on the cryosphere.
About the project: This workshop is part of a larger initiative, "SStrengthening the resilience of Central Asian countries by enabling regional cooperation to assess glacio-nival systems to develop integrated methods for sustainable development and adaptation to climate change." 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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All photos credit to UNESCO.
