Global Call to Action: Dushanbe Conference Adopts Declaration to Protect Glaciers and the Cryosphere

The High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan concluded with the adoption of the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration – urging governments and stakeholders to enhance international cooperation and align global efforts to protect the world’s rapidly melting glaciers and cryosphere.

Held from May 29–31, 2025, the conference gathered over 2,500 participants including scientists, policymakers, practitioners, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders from around 90 countries. In his opening address, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, emphasized the urgent need for united global action to protect glaciers and the broader cryosphere, which are critical to the planet’s ecological and hydrological balance.

At Forum 4: From the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025) to the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034), Dr. Dipesh Chapagain, Senior Research Associate at GLOMOS, presented key insights on strengthening resilience, advancing adaptation strategies, and addressing the socio-economic impacts of cryospheric change. The forum served as a crucial platform for aligning the momentum of IYGP 2025 with a long-term, strategic approach to cryospheric science and global policy action. Dr. Chapagain highlighted several high-risk cryospheric hazards frequently cited in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) of mountainous nations, including:

• Glacier retreat and snow cover loss
• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
• Changing precipitation patterns
• Avalanches and snowstorms

“These hazards often trigger cascading disasters, resulting in infrastructure damage, loss of livelihoods, displacement, severe health consequences, and, tragically, the loss of life”, Highlighted Dr. Chapagain.

The urgency of the conference was strongly reinforced by unfolding real-world events. Just a day before the conference began, a glacier collapse in Switzerland buried the Alpine village of Blatten. Fortunately, due to continuous monitoring and early evacuation, the community avoided significant casualties.

A similar event devastated Tilgaun village in Nepal’s remote Limi Valley two weeks earlier by an unseasonal flood caused by the sudden outburst of two glacial lakes located in the high mountains. The flood struck without rainfall or warning displacing the entire village. Displaced people now live in tents with no electricity or clean water. It took a week for relief materials to reach the village — transported by vehicle, carried by porters, and finally by horse — highlighting the remoteness and vulnerability of mountain communities.

While the Swiss government has already pledged support for long-term recovery in Blatten, the communities in Tilgaun do not know if or when they will be able to return to their homes from the tents. As the monsoon season approaches, fears grow. Tashi Lhazom, a youth leader from Limi Valley, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her community and advocated passionately at the Dushanbe conference for a safer future for her village and other mountain communities facing similar threats.

Tilgaun and Blatten are just two examples of countless mountain communities under growing risks due to glacier retreat and cryospheric change. As Dr. Chapagain emphasized, addressing these risks requires immediate and coordinated action, including:

1. Early Warning Systems: These must be accessible, timely, and understandable — reaching even the most remote communities before disaster strikes.
2. Community-Based Adaptation: We need to merge local knowledge with scientific expertise to design location-specific solutions. It's vital to avoid maladaptation by ensuring these measures are sustainable and relevant to the community context.
3. Policy and Financial Support: National and international institutions must commit to targeted funding and inclusive governance. Mountain communities need both resources and representation to build resilience.

GLOMOS plays an active role in the IYGP 2025, and is a member of Task Force 2: international conferences, regional workshops, and capacity-building, and Task Force 3: research and monitoring initiatives.