BACKGROUND

The importance of glaciers as the main sources of water in ensuring the vital activity of the world’s population is invaluable. Therefore, their rapid melting is one of the most serious problems at the global level and has negative consequences. The problem of glacier degradation is primarily related to global climate change on Earth. As a result of climate change the rate of destruction of mountain glaciers and melting of long-term ice is increasing, which leads to depletion of water resources and an increase in the number of natural disasters associated with glaciers. A striking example is the increase in number of glacial lakes. Damage from natural disasters in different countries amounts to 3-10% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Historically, at the global level, glaciers were the objects of study and scientific discussion in the first (1884), second (1932) and third (2008-2009) international polar years. After these events, great discoveries and achievements were made in the field of glaciology.

Since then, active study of glaciers at polar and high-mountain stations began. In particular, during the Second International Polar Year, a large glacial junction in the Pamirs was described, and the highest altitude station in the world was built on the Fedchenko Glacier at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level.

Thanks to the forward-looking policy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, today in the international arena Tajikistan is recognized as a leading country promoting global initiatives in the field of glacier, climate and water protection. A clear example of this is the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Protection and March 21 as World Glacier Day.

In this regard, the State Scientific Institution ” Center for Glacier Research of NAST” plans to hold in the second half of September 2024 the First World Congress of Glaciologists on the topic ” Research and protection of glaciers in the conditions of global climate change: state, problems and prospects”.

Holding of this Congress is within the framework of implementation of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan from August 31, 2023 № 407, on the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution on the declaration of “2025 – International Year of Glacier Preservation” and the plan of scientific and scientific-technical activities of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan for 2024 from 18.12.2023 № 157.

GOALS

The main goal of the First World Congress of Glaciologists ” Research and Protection of Glaciers under Global Climate Change: State, Problems and Prospects” is to further intensify common efforts and prepare for the high-level conference dedicated to the International Year of Glacier Preservation. At the Congress, participants will discuss the impact of climate change on mountain glaciers, the development of strategies to reduce damage from glacial lake outbursts and glacial mudflows, exchange experience in these areas and try to find solutions and form a common approach to the possible protection of high-mountain glacier systems in order to minimize catastrophic consequences associated with glacier degradation.

In particular, the First World Glacier Congress will focus on the following issues:

– consolidation of glaciologists’ efforts for the development of fundamental works and development of measures for glacier protection;

– activization of the international glaciological community;

– dissemination of the results of the performed works in practice and development of new technologies for glacier studies;

– discussion of existing problems in the field of glaciology;

– creation of an international platform for exchange of data and other information in the field of glaciology.

The main tasks of the Congress:

-informing the world community about the current state of glaciers in the context of global climate change;

-development of the main ways of cooperation in regional and international directions to achieve new research on glaciers;

-creation of a scientific platform for exchange of scientific information on the state of glaciers;

-development of measures to reduce damage from glacial lake outbursts and glacial mudflows;

-consolidation of the world community to develop glacier preservation measures;

-preparation for the High-Level Conference: “2025 – International Year of Glacier Preservation”.

Results:

In order to maintain the continuity of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd International Polar Year, this Congress will produce a final declaration and summary, and issue a collection of reports.

More than 300 people are expected to attend the Congress, including 100 foreign participants. Representatives of glaciological, water and climate organizations, as well as other stakeholders of the world level, Central Asian region, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, scientists, experts and other interested parties are invited.

Detailed information about registration for the Congress is available at the following link: https://cryosphere.tj

The Congress is expected to take place in a face-to-face format to maximize interaction between participants and will be widely broadcast via ZOOM, social media and other channels.

The working languages of the Congress are Tajik, English and Russian (simultaneous interpreter will be provided). More information about the Congress is available on the website https://cryosphere.tj)

The program of the First World Glacier Congress on the topic “Research and protection glaciers in the context of global climate change: state, problems and prospects”, includes plenary sessions, breakout sessions, several side events, as well as an exhibition, press conference and guided tours.

-expanding dialogue and knowledge about the impact of climate change on the cryosphere at the regional and global levels;

-identification of knowledge gaps and prioritization of research;

-creation of new partnerships, especially between stakeholders at the regional and global levels;

-creation of a Community of women, young and aspiring researchers;

-development of a global position on priority topics of the first World Glacier Congress;

-development of agreed goals on selected topics and a plan for further action;

-development of a roadmap on priority topics for the “2025-International   Year of Glacier Preservation”;

– holding of thematic events of the parties during the high-level conference “2025-the International Year of Glacier Preservation”;

-analytical note and report on the topics of the Congress.

 PLENARY SESSION

Plenary session of the First World Congress of Glaciologists on the theme ” Research and protection of glaciers in the context of global climate change: state, problems and prospects”, will be attended by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, representatives of relevant ministries and departments, international organizations, heads and well-known scientists of domestic and foreign scientific institutions.

SIDE – EVENTS

Within the framework of the Congress several side-events on relevant topics are planned.

09:00

17:30

              Side-events