By 2050, Central Asia could lose a third of its glaciers, says Tajik official

Central Asia may lose up to a third of its glaciers by 2050,  Bahodur Sheralizoda, the Chairman of Tajikistan's Committee for Environmental Protection, noted while speaking at a climate panel discussion during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 13.Tajikistan, home to over 10,000 glaciers, provides 60% of the region's water resources.  Mr. Sheralizoda highlighted that the rapid melting of these glaciers poses a serious threat to water, food, and energy security across the region.  He also noted that more than 1,000 glaciers have melted in Tajikistan over the past 30–40 years.Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), announced plans to invest US$3.5 billion in the region over the next seven years.  The funds will be directed toward initiatives to protect glaciers and promote sustainable agricultural development.Regional partners, including Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology Mukhtar Babayev, stressed the importance of a unified approach to addressing glacier melting.The worsening climate situation and glacier reduction are leading to water shortages and negatively impacting agriculture and ecosystems in Central Asia and the Caucasus.Significant decisions made at the recent forum underscore the commitment of regional countries to glacier protection and sustainable water resource management.