Glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate due to climate change — threatening freshwater supplies, agriculture, energy production, and the lives of millions. Switzerland, often called the “Water Tower of Europe,” has over 1,400 glaciers, but many are shrinking exponentially. Since the year 2000, Swiss glaciers have lost around 38% of their volume and alone during 2022 and 2023 10% of the glacier ice disappeared – an amount equivalent to what was lost between 1960 and 1990. Without urgent action to reduce emissions, most could vanish by 2100. Likewise, Tajikistan is known as the “Water Tower of Central Asia,” home of significate water resources, with its glaciers feeding the major rivers that supply water to neighboring countries. Both nations understand the deep environmental, social, economic, and geopolitical stakes tied to glacier preservation.
At the conference, Ambassador Christian Frutiger emphasized that just five days ago, a glacier collapsed and destroyed the village Blatten in the Southern Swiss Alps. Only thanks to intense monitoring and early warning systems, the village was evacuated well ahead of this disaster. This shows the importance of cryosphere monitoring and observation, preparedness of the communities and coordination at all levels to save lives. These aspects will also be discussed at high level at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, taking place in Geneva from June 2 – 6 2025. Switzerland is committed to working with its partners to turn urgent challenges into opportunities for cooperation and stability”. Ambassador Frutiger concluded his address by reminding the audience: “Glaciers speak — we must listen!”
A key moment was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and Tajikistan for the Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 initiative — a groundbreaking regional program that promotes water cooperation, peaceful dialogue, and sustainable development. The initiative supports joint water projects, brings experts and young professionals together, and helps build resilience across Central Asia.
The International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation highlighted the vital link between glacier conservation and sustainable development. Key outcomes include the Dushanbe Declaration and Dushanbe Appeal: Call for Action, urging UN Member States and stakeholders to strengthen global cooperation to protect the cryosphere and glaciers.
This conference, held during the UN-declared International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, marks an important global moment to push for stronger commitments and practical solutions to protect the world’s glaciers — before it’s too late.
