XIEG Co-hosts International Scientific Conference on Preservation of Glaciers and Efficient Use of Water Resources in Central Asia

The International Scientific Conference on Preservation of Glaciers and Efficient Use of Water Resources in Central Asia was successfully held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 9, 2024. More than 30 people from countries including China, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia, attended the conference.

The conference was co-organized by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (NAST), the CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (Dushanbe), the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower, and Ecology of NAST, and the Center for Research of Glaciers of NAST.

Khushvakhtzoda Kobiljon, President of NAST, ZHANG Yuanming, Director of XIEG, Juma Daler, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Nazarzoda Rustam, Chairman of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence under the Government of Tajikistan, and Sheralizoda Bakhodur, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan, delivered their speeches during the event.

Khushvakhtzoda Kobiljon highlighted that Tajikistan’s glaciers make up more than 6% of the country’s total area and are not only an invaluable source of fresh water, but also a regulator of water resources and climate in Central Asia. He emphasized that the global proposal made by Tajikistan’s President, Emomali Rahmon, to the United Nations, has gained support from the international community, and calls for urgent action to address the challenges arising from the rapid melting of glaciers under the influence of climate change.

ZHANG Yuanming noted that Central Asia, a typical arid region with a population of about 80 million, relies heavily on water resource from the snow and glaciers on the Tianshan and Pamir Mountains. He added that the glacier preservation and the sustainable use of water resources are key issues that demand scientific and innovative solutions.

More than 20 scientists and researchers in the field of ecology, geography and glaciology made their presentations at the conference. Moreover, participants discussed the expansion of bilateral scientific cooperation between NAST and CAS.

The conference focused on glacier change, water resource utilization, and disaster monitoring, and provided a platform for scientists and researchers, and government representatives, to exchange information, knowledge, and experience.

ZHANG Yuanming delivers his speech (Image by XIEG)

Group photo (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn