Tajikistan says over 1,300 glaciers vanished as climate threats intensify

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — More than 1,300 glaciers in Tajikistan have completely disappeared, raising growing concerns over water security and environmental stability across Central Asia, President Emomali Rahmon said at the Astana summit.

Rahmon said Tajikistan, which generates up to 60% of Central Asia’s water resources, is facing accelerating glacier melt and shrinking snow reserves that are disrupting the region’s ecological balance.

“Up to 60% of Central Asia’s water resources are generated in our country,” Rahmon said. “This underscores the important role of Tajikistan’s mountain ecosystems in ensuring water supply and sustainable development in the region.”

According to Rahmon, more than 1,300 of Tajikistan’s approximately 14,000 glaciers have already melted completely, increasing the risk of water shortages and natural disasters.

The president also warned about worsening dust storms linked to environmental degradation. He said more than 60 dust storms were recorded last year, lasting a combined total of nearly seven months.

In the early 1990s, such storms occurred only two or three times annually, he added.

To respond to the growing climate crisis, Tajikistan plans to establish a regional glacier monitoring center in Dushanbe under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization.

Rahmon also proposed that Central Asian countries gradually create a shared carbon market aimed at attracting international climate investment.

As part of its environmental strategy, Tajikistan has begun issuing green bonds to integrate into the global climate finance system and adopted a nationwide greening initiative targeting the planting of more than 1 billion trees by 2040.