Glacial lakes, with their majestic beauty, can hide hidden dangers for nearby communities. A recent scientific paper has shed light on the factors that contribute to the susceptibility of these lakes and their potential for triggering catastrophic events. By understanding these factors, we can take practical steps to protect vulnerable areas and ensure the safety […]

In the breathtaking landscapes of mountainous regions, glacial lakes shimmer with pristine beauty. However, these picturesque lakes can pose significant risks to nearby communities and infrastructure. That’s why scientists and experts are focusing on conducting susceptibility assessments for glacial lakes to understand the potential dangers they may present. A recent scientific paper sheds light on […]

Glacial lakes in Central Asia serve as vital indicators of climate change and potential threats to nearby communities. However, effectively monitoring these lakes requires regular updates and accurate data. A recent scientific paper sheds light on the challenges faced by administrative and research institutions in the region, highlighting the dependence on their initiative for maintaining […]

This report provides a synopsis of the work undertaken by the University of Zurich (UZH) in our role as the lead implementing partner to the GLOFCA project. The report covers the period from October 2022 until the end of April 2023 and is an update of previous reports. The key achievement of this reporting period […]

In the end of August 2022, a four days joint field visit was conducted to the various lakes close to the Adygene research station in the valley of Adygene, a western tributary to the Ala Archa river and valley. A team of scientists from the Kyrgyz Academy of Science’s Institute of Water Problems and Hydroenergy, […]

GLOFCA member Laura Niggli joined this year’s ‘Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia’ (https://www.inspiringgirls.org/central-asia-en) expedition as visiting scientific instructor with expertise on Glacier Lake Outburst Floods. The project ‘Adventure of Science’ empowers young women through science, art and wilderness exploration. This year’s successful expedition took place from 16.-25. August 2022 in the […]

The University of Zurich (UZH), in its role as lead implementing partner to the Executing Entity of UNESCO within the GLOFCA Project, organizes a technical training addressed to experts in the field of natural hazards management for the numerical modelling of rapid mass movements and glacier lake outburst floods in particular.A detailed prediction of the […]

Interview by Alfred Diebold with Prof. Christian Huggel of Zurich University and GLOFCA team member

On the 7th of April 2022 the GLOFCA Project was presented at the Regional Forum on sustainable development for the UNECE Region, where partnerships to address climate change, extreme events and disaster risk reduction towards sustainable development goals have been discussed. https://regionalforum.unece.org/events/regional-forum-2022 The event was organized by the Regional Office for Europe of the World […]

From left to right: Takir Balykbayev, Zhanna Kurmangaliyeva, Igor Severskiy, and Akhmetkal Medeu  UNESCO Almaty Office would like to congratulate Mr. Takir Balykbayev to his appointment as the Director of the LLP “Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO”. We look forward to further strengthen our cooperation specially in the […]

Press release: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 – The UNESCO Almaty Office and the Kazakh State Institution “Kazselezaschita” are joining forces in a project named “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in Central Asia region from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate” (GLOFCA), funded by the Adaptation Fund. As part of the GLOFCA’s YEAR-1 activities, Kazselezaschita […]

From February 23-35, 2022 an international online conference organized by the Kazakh-German University within the framework of the Green Central Asia Initiative. The main objective of the conference was to provide innovative solutions to the five Central Asian economies (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) by: Informing on decision-making processes based on scientific research in […]