From 29 to 31 May 2025, the GLOFCA project was featured in several key sessions of the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, held in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. The conference, organized by the Government of Tajikistan with the support of UNESCO, WMO and other partners, gathered high-level officials, scientists, and development practitioners to strengthen global cooperation for glacier preservation and resilience.
The GLOFCA project contributed expertise on early warning systems and climate adaptation in glacier-dependent regions.
Bringing Early Warnings into Global Focus
The project was featured in Thematic Session 3: Glacial-related Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction, organized under the global Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. The session highlighted how GLOFCA’s integrated approach, combining science, traditional knowledge, and community engagement, can serve as a model for other mountain regions facing climate-induced glacial hazards.
Engaging in Regional Dialogue
In addition to Thematic Session 3, GLOFCA was represented in several forums and side events, including:
- The Regional Forum on Glacier Monitoring and the Cryosphere in Central Asia, where the project’s work was presented alongside other regional initiatives
- Side events on adaptation strategies, transboundary water resilience, and knowledge exchange
These discussions reinforced the importance of regional coordination and locally adapted solutions to address glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other related risks.
Moving Toward Implementation
The conference also served as an opportunity to share GLOFCA’s upcoming milestones. In summer 2025, the project will begin the installation of early warning and monitoring systems in four Central Asian countries. These installations will be followed by community consultations, training workshops, and drill exercises, ensuring that early warning becomes a shared, actionable tool at the local level.
