EMOMALI RAHMON: DECLARATION OF 2025 AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE PRESERVATION OF GLACIERS

 On March 3, 2021, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, participated in the first meeting of the High-Level Panel on Water and Climate. The event was chaired by the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization Petteri Taalas. The event was attended by many presidents and heads of government. In his speech, Emomali Rahmon touched upon water and climate issues. He stressed that the main reason for climate change is the intense melting of glaciers due to global warming. Unfortunately accelerated ice melting in various parts of the planet - in the Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland is observed. Significant changes are noticed on continental glaciers as well. Emomali Rahmon talked about the current state of Tajik glaciers and emphasized that a similar situation is developing in Pamir. The melting of the largest Fedchenko glacier in Tajikistan, which is more than 75 kilometers long is clear evidence of this process. Studies show that in the last seventy - eighty (70-80) years alone, the Fedchenko Glacier re-treated by more than 1 km, and has decreased by 44km2. Moreover, it has lost more than 15km3 in volume, and the glacier tongue has been retreating by 16m per year.

Characterizing glaciers as the main source of freshwater, the head of state stressed that their intense melting, along with an increase in water consumption associated with population growth and economic development, could lead to very negative consequences.

Thus, Head of State Emomali Rahmon proposed to declare 2025 as the International Year for the Preservation of Glaciers and to determine the date of World Glacier Day. Another Ta-jikistan’s proposal is to create a special International Fund for Glaciers.

Emomali Rahmon emphasized the results of Tajikistan's presidency in the International Fund for the Aral Sea. He spoke about water resources of Tajikistan and their efficient use, measures to prevent hydro- and meteorological emergencies such as mudflows, floods, droughts, landslides, and avalanches, the economy and environment of Tajikistan, as well as the severe financial, economic and humanitarian crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.