The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, placed significant emphasis on the state of the cryosphere. Scientific organizations, international partners and governments presented updated data on glacier melt rates, changes in polar regions and the resulting risks for sustainable development. These findings are directly relevant for the preparation of National Action Plans (NAPs) and the Subregional Joint Action Plan (SJAP) under development through the GEF–UNDP–UNESCO Cryosphere Project.

Scientific findings

At COP30, the State of the Cryosphere 2025 report, prepared by the International Cryosphere and Climate Initiative (ICCI), was presented. The report highlights the continued acceleration of changes in glacier and polar systems. The stability of ice sheets is approaching critical thresholds at approximately 1°C of global warming, with mountain glaciers reaching these limits at even lower temperature increases. The authors underline that the most ambitious climate pathways could still reduce global temperatures below 1.5°C by 2100, but rapid emissions reductions are required.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) presented an update on the state of glaciers for the 2023–2024 hydrological year. According to the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), the global annual mass balance reached minus 1.3 metres water equivalent, or around 450 gigatonnes of ice — the largest loss recorded since observations began in 1950. For the third consecutive year, all 19 glacierized regions monitored year-round recorded negative mass balances. These trends confirm the accelerating retreat of the cryosphere and its implications for water resources and sea-level rise.

The WMO update also underscored the growing role of national hydrometeorological services. In the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), most countries highlight the need to strengthen climate data, observation systems and scientific research. According to WMO, around 65 percent of national hydromet services now provide climate services at essential or advanced levels, a significant increase compared to five years ago.

The Cryosphere and Central Asia

Central Asian countries participated in COP30 with a shared focus on regional vulnerability and the need to strengthen adaptation measures in light of accelerating glacier melt.

Tajikistan emphasized the critical importance of glaciers for regional water security. At the high-level segment, Bakhodur Sheralizoda, Chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection, highlighted Tajikistan’s initiative to convene the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers, held in May 2025. These issues were also discussed at the session “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation & Cryosphere Decade,” where Tajikistan presented three initiatives: establishing a Regional Coordination Centre on Glaciology in Dushanbe under the auspices of WMO; organizing an international scientific and practical expedition to Tajikistan’s glaciers; and restoring the historic Gorbunov meteorological station on the Vandzhakh (Fedchenko) Glacier and transforming it into an International High-Mountain Glaciological Observatory.

On the sidelines of COP30, the Agency for Hydrometeorology of Tajikistan and the Japanese company ArkEdge Space Inc signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in glacier remote sensing and climate monitoring.

Kazakhstan reaffirmed its updated NDC 3.0 and national adaptation plan. In his statement, Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nyssanbayev announced preparations for the Regional Climate Summit, to be held in April 2026 in Astana. Ongoing work includes regional consultations, the development of approaches to climate finance and the establishment of a scientific exchange network. The GEF–UNDP–UNESCO Cryosphere Project will contribute to the summit.

Kyrgyzstan called for expanding access to climate finance for mountain countries and increasing support for adaptation. The delegation also proposed establishing a Global Mountain Resilience Centre in Bishkek as an international platform for capacity building and coordination of adaptation efforts. These initiatives reaffirm Kyrgyzstan’s leading role in advancing the mountain agenda within climate processes. The launch of the Centre is planned for the Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek+25” in 2027.

Uzbekistan highlighted the region’s high climate vulnerability, citing a temperature increase of 2.2°C in Central Asia and annual glacier loss of up to 0.5 percent of volume. Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov noted accelerating land degradation and declining water resources, and invited participants to the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which will be held in Samarkand from 31 May to 5 June 2026.

Turkmenistan participated in COP30 as part of the regional delegation. As part of the preparatory process, the country developed a Youth Climate Roadmap, which will serve as the basis for Turkmenistan’s official Youth Statement. The document outlines youth priorities in sustainable development, adaptation, and climate resilience.

An additional practical outcome for the region was the signing of the 250-million-dollar “Glacier to Farm” project between the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund. The project aims to support communities in Central Asia, the Caucasus and Pakistan affected by glacier retreat and changing water regimes.