The High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation 2025                  

                                          

The opening of the Conference was presided over by H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, who welcomed the international community to Dushanbe for this landmark event dedicated to the global preservation of glaciers.

Held under the leadership of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and in partnership with the United Nations , UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) , and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) , the inauguration took place in the esteemed presence of world leaders and senior representatives of international organisations.

His Excellency President Rahmon’s opening address reaffirmed Tajikistan’s enduring commitment to international cooperation on water and climate issues, and called for bold, unified action to reverse the devastating trajectory of glacier loss. He underscored the symbolic and practical significance of the Conference, as it marks the launch of the United Nations-declared International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and sets the foundation for the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034) .

The Opening Session included keynote statements from heads of state and government as well as high-ranking UN officials, the Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents of several countries, and the leadership of multilateral bodies such as UNESCO, WMO, UNICEF, ESCAP, ADB, and AIIB. Their unified voices emphasized the multifaceted challenges posed by glacier retreat and the need for integrated solutions that bridge science, finance, policy, and community resilience.

This inaugural moment marked the beginning of high-level dialogue and strategic collaboration that will culminate in the adoption of the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration, the Chair’s Summary, and the Dushanbe Glaciers Appeal: A Call for Action — key documents that will inform the global climate and sustainable development agenda in 2025 and beyond.