International conference in Tashkent on innovative methods for glacier monitoring

On 16 September 2025, an international conference titled “Innovative Methods for Monitoring Mountain Glaciers under Climate Change and Current Challenges in Glaciology” was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The event was organized by the Hydrometeorological Research Institute (NIGMI) with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty and its two flagship projects.

The conference brought together scientists, practitioners, and government representatives from Central Asia and beyond to exchange the latest research and practical experience in glaciology. Discussions focused on the importance of snow and glacier monitoring for water security, the risks of glacier lake outburst floods, and the use of modern digital tools, including MODSNOW. The GEF-UNDP-UNESCO project “Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries by Enabling Regional Cooperation to Assess Glacio-nival Systems to Develop Integrated Methods for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change” underlined the importance of joint action to improve the region’s climate resilience.

The UNESCO project “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in Central Asia from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate” (GLOFCA) highlighted the development of early warning systems and work with local communities to reduce disaster risks.

The conference provided an important platform for strengthening regional cooperation and identifying practical, policy-relevant solutions for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.