The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation and throughout this year we expect to see a number of initiatives focused on the health of glaciers.

In November of 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) introduced the Glaciers to Farms program, a regional initiative aimed at promoting sustainable water use and bolstering food security in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan. The program, launched during the COP29 summit, is a response to the catastrophic effects of accelerated glacial melt driven by climate change.

Supported by the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Project Preparation Facility, the program will assess the risks of glacial melt in Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This scientific and technical groundwork will inform targeted interventions under the Glaciers to Farms program, addressing the water crisis that threatens over 380 million people in the region.

A Region in Crisis

Temperatures in the region are projected to rise by as much as 6 degrees Celsius by 2100. This warming trend endangers vital ecosystems, agricultural production, hydropower, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on glacier-fed rivers. As glaciers shrink, upstream communities face diminished water supplies, while downstream areas grapple with increased flooding from accelerated glacial runoff. These dual challenges jeopardize food and water security, critical infrastructure, and economic stability.

High-Level Support for Regional Action

The program’s launch included the signing of a declaration by prominent leaders: COP29 President and Azerbaijan Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, Kazakhstan Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Kyrgyz Republic Minister of Natural Resources Meder Mashiev, Tajikistan Environmental Protection Chairman Bahodur Sheralizoda, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov. The declaration was also endorsed by ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa and GCF Chief Investment Officer Henry Gonzalez.

“As melting glaciers change waterflows, disrupt lives, and destroy ecosystems, we must act now,” said ADB President Asakawa. “This program will drive international collaboration and deliver results where they matter most—on the ground, in communities at risk.”

Henry Gonzalez echoed these sentiments, stating, “The GCF recognizes Glaciers to Farms as vital for climate resilience and sustainable development. This program exemplifies the collaboration needed to tackle climate challenges and safeguard vulnerable populations.”

Funding and Strategic Objectives

Glaciers to Farms aims to mobilize up to $3.5 billion in financing from ADB, GCF, regional governments, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders. Subject to institutional approvals, the program will focus on water and agricultural investments while supporting mountain communities most vulnerable to glacial melt.

The initiative forms part of ADB’s broader strategy to mitigate the effects of glacial loss across Asia. In the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, the bank is advancing early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure. Similarly, in monsoonal South and Southeast Asia, ADB is working to enhance resilience along entire river basins.

Looking Ahead: A Global Commitment

Recognizing the urgency of glacier preservation, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation. Additionally, Tajikistan will host the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe in 2025, further spotlighting the critical issue of melting glaciers.

By addressing the threats posed by climate-induced glacial melt, Glaciers to Farms reflects the ADB’s commitment to ensuring sustainable development and resilience for Asia’s most vulnerable regions. Through coordinated efforts, the program seeks to secure water resources, sustain livelihoods, and protect ecosystems in the face of escalating climate challenges.