In pursuance of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated March 27, 2021 №88 on the implementation of the “Plan of scientific and technical activities in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021”, the announcement of “2025-International Year of Glacier Protection”, as well as the instructions and wise actions of the Founder of  Peace and National Unity – Honorary Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and support of development partners On November 25-26, the International Scientific and Practical Conference and the Cryosphere in the Process of Global Warming took place in the hall of the National Library of Tajikistan.

It should be noted that the purpose of the conference is to inform the world community about the real state of glaciers under conditions of global warming, to develop key ways of regional and international cooperation to achieve new innovative research on glaciers, to create a scientific platform for the exchange of scientific information. Development of the Concept for the proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Protection and determination of a specific date for the World Glacier Day.

It should be noted that the following topics were discussed at the conference, which took place over two days with the participation of foreign guests, representatives of government agencies and domestic scientists and researchers.In particular, the conference will discuss the real state of the cryosphere, glaciers and water resources, the impact of climate change on glaciers and snow cover, modern methods of studying the cryosphere, glaciers and snow cover, natural disasters associated with glaciers, glacial lakes and hydrochemical methods, radioisotope studies of glaciers, melted snow and ice, the influence of environmental, sanitary and anthropogenic factors on glaciers and snow cover in the context of globalization.

At the same time, the conference was attended by the deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan – Azizoda Gairat Mulloahmad, UNESCO representative in Almaty Christina Tovmasyan, as well as representatives of educational and scientific institutions of the country.

The conference was opened by the director of the Center for the Study of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Professor Abdulhamid Kayumov, who spoke about the real state of glaciers, the impact of global warming on glaciers. It was noted that the Center for Glacial Research is supported by the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Honorary Leader of the Nation, President Emomali Rahmon and plays a key role in further research.

Also, during the conference, foreign scientists and researchers from Switzerland, Bavaria, Austria, Canada, Italy, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan spoke online. In particular, a group of scientists from Switzerland reported on the results of the 2011 expedition, which passed over the Surkhob River. According to the analysis, the Kyzylsu glacier is currently in decline.

The representative of the State Scientific Institute “Center for the Study of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan” and the representative of Switzerland in their reports noted that a mudflow on July 14, 2021 in the Lakhsh region caused the Barylmas glacier to collapse. According to the analysis, the mudflow lasted only 15 minutes, and the damage amounted to 20 million somoni. An analysis carried out by foreign experts and Tajik scientists indicates that mudflows registered in various regions of the Republic of Tajikistan led to the death of 12 people who were not registered in time. The reason is that the observation devices are located at an altitude of 2000 meters, and precipitation in July was recorded at an altitude of 3–3500 meters. Scientists have come to the conclusion that instruments for measuring atmospheric precipitation and hydrometeorological instruments should be installed at an altitude of 3,500 to 4,000 meters.

In this regard, the State Scientific Institution “Center for the Study of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan” with partners for sustainable development has already installed such devices on the rivers Surkhob, Khingob and Varzob, which allow registering precipitation.

It should be noted that His Excellency, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, in his speech, noted the need to organize research expeditions with the participation of partners in sustainable development. Director of the Center Abdulhamid Kayumov expressed gratitude to the Director of the Center. Center for the timely and constructive holding of such a conference at the international level, noting that the problem of global warming and its impact on glaciers has become a global problem.

On the second day, the conference was opened by the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Academician Farhod Rahimi, noting that the State Scientific Institution “Center for the Study of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan” is a native of independence.

He highly appreciated the organization and holding of this conference, in particular, called it one of the following noble initiatives of the Center and instructed to hold such conferences annually.

At the same time, Academician Farhod Rakhimi presented to the public the just published Catalog of the Atlas of Glaciers of Tajikistan. This catalog contains information on the current state of glaciers, as well as a comprehensive description of the process of glacier reduction over the past 50 years. It was also noted that currently 12 volumes of the catalog of glaciers are being processed, which are based on fundamental research, expeditionary and operational use of drones, as well as satellite images.

In addition, participants were introduced to the Glacier Glossary Glossary Guide recently published by Professor Abdulhamid Kayumov and Senior Researcher Ubaydullo Ubaydulloyev. The terms presented in this book are intended to be used by all governmental and non-governmental organizations that may continue to use only these can use these terms.

During the conference, other employees of the State Scientific Institution “Glacier Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan” actively presented scientific reports on various topics related to the weight balance of glaciers, the melting and disappearance of some glaciers in Tajikistan.

At the end of the conference, the materials presented by the participants were discussed and the participants received specific answers to the questions posed.

At the end of the conference, Professor Abdulhamid Kayumov thanked all the participants for their participation and contribution to the conference, and also made suggestions and proposals for further strengthening cooperation with domestic and foreign partner organizations, noting that such events are based on the development of mutually beneficial cooperation of expeditionary and scientific work. On the afternoon of the 26th, a special conference was organized for young researchers and scientists. At this event, young scientists also actively presented scientific reports on the problems of ice, glaciers and the cryosphere.