Speech by the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon at the opening of the Pavilion of the Republic of Tajikistan at the Twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC on climate change

November 7, 2022, Sharm El Sheikh, Arab Republic of Egypt              

Dear participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to participate with you in today's opening ceremony of the National Pavilion of the Republic of Tajikistan at the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is organized for the first time in the twenty-seven-year history of the Convention.

I remember well that in 2015, at the twenty-first Conference of the Parties to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, the Republic of Tajikistan assumed a number of obligations.

I am pleased that in a relatively short period of time we were able to produce a number of strategic documents in this area, such as the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change until 2030, the Nationally Determined Contribution, the Fourth National Climate Change Report and the biennial Greenhouse Gas Report , which indicates the fulfillment of the obligations of the Republic of Tajikistan to the international community.

It is well known that the climate is inextricably linked with all areas of the state's economy. Clearly, climate change is changing our daily lives.

From our point of view, one of the main indicators of this process is the rapid melting of glaciers as a result of global warming. The melting of the largest land-based glacier in Tajikistan is a prime example of this claim.

Glaciers are the main source of fresh water, and their rapid melting, along with increased water demand associated with population growth and economic development, can have very negative consequences.

An analysis of the impact of climate change and population growth shows that if in the sixties of the last century the annual water supply per capita in Central Asia was more than eight thousand cubic meters, today this figure has decreased by more than four times - a little more than two thousand cubic meters per year.

It is clear that this topical issue should be at the center of attention of the international community and especially political leaders.

In this regard, I propose to declare 2025 the "International Year for the Protection of Glaciers" and to determine the date of the "World Day for the Protection of Glaciers".

I would also like to once again recall the proposal of Tajikistan to create a special international "Glacier Protection Fund", which can mobilize financial resources from various sources to take the necessary steps and achieve the goals set here.

I am confident that such initiatives will spark a new global movement to take the necessary collective action to protect glaciers from rapid melting and destruction.

In this regard, the Republic of Tajikistan has adopted many domestic programs and initiatives, such as greening, tax incentives, incentives for the import of electric vehicles and the development of the hydropower sector, which are aimed at preventing the emission of large amounts of greenhouse gases.

In this process, the Republic of Tajikistan plans to develop a national greening program, within the framework of which the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers will be increased several times throughout the country.

At the same time, the Republic of Tajikistan has begun developing a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, depending on priority areas and the implementation of the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

The Republic of Tajikistan hopes that foreign organizations, donors and developed states will continue to cooperate in solving important issues related to adaptation to climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the rapid melting of glaciers.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I can say with full confidence that all the issues discussed in the National Pavilion of the Republic of Tajikistan at the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change contribute to the formation of a cooperation mechanism in the direction of reducing the adverse effects of climate change not only in the Republic of Tajikistan, but also in the region but will also make a significant contribution at the global level.

Thank you.