As part of the 3rd High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028, a key side event organized by the GLOFCA project took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 12 June 2024. The event brought together experts, government representatives, and stakeholders to address the increasing risk of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Central Asia, a pressing issue exacerbated by climate change.
Key Discussions and Outputs
Opening Ceremony. The event began with welcoming remarks from key dignitaries, including Mr. Abdukodir Mavlodod, Deputy Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee of the Government of Tajikistan, Ms. Zulfiya Burkhon, Secretary General of the National Commission of the Republic of Tajikistan for UNESCO, and Ms. Natalia Alonso Cano, Head of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Panel Session 1: Experience in Monitoring and Early Warning Systems for GLOFs. Moderated by Mr. Anvar Khomidov from the Agency for Hydrometeorology of Tajikistan, this session focused on sharing best practices in early warning systems for GLOFs. Speakers from Central Asian countries presented their strategies and approaches. Presentations provided a comprehensive understanding of the current early warning systems in place across the region, showcasing successful case studies from the GLOFCA project.
Panel Session 2: Promoting International Cooperation for GLOF Risk Reduction. The second session, moderated by Ms. Natalia Kim from UNESCO Almaty, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in mitigating GLOF risks. Expert speakers discussed how collaboration enhances resilience and promotes community engagement. The discussions underscored the necessity of international partnerships to develop and effectively use early warning systems, thereby reducing potential damage from GLOFs.
Closing Remarks and Conclusions. The event concluded with a summary of the key points discussed and closing remarks, emphasizing the critical need for continued cooperation and the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies to mitigate the risks associated with glacier lake outbursts.
Steps Forward
Participants agreed on several forward-looking steps:
- Enhance Regional Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration between Central Asian countries to share knowledge and resources for GLOF risk reduction.
- Integrate Advanced Technologies: Leveraging remote sensing, advanced modeling tools, and community-based monitoring to improve early warning systems.
- Increase Capacity Building: Conducting training programs and workshops to build local capacities in GLOF monitoring and risk management.
- Promote Community Engagement: Ensuring active participation of local communities in the development and implementation of risk reduction strategies.
The GLOFCA side event successfully highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts in Central Asia to address the risks posed by GLOFs. By sharing best practices and fostering international cooperation, the event laid the groundwork for more resilient and adaptive strategies to safeguard communities and support sustainable development in the region.