ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Sunday launched “Glaciers to Farms” — a brand new regional initiative geared toward selling sustainable water use and meals safety in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan.
Under the programme, the ADB will perform perform danger assessments of glacial soften in Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan — forming the scientific and technical foundation for the programme, learn the press launch issued by the lender.
The ADB will likely be supported by the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Project Preparation Facility.
A declaration of help for preserving glaciers has been signed with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa and GCF Chief Investment Officer Henry Gonzalez.
The signatories embrace COP29 President and Azerbaijan Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev; Kazakhstan Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev; Kyrgyz Republic Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev; Tajikistan Committee on Environmental Protection Chairman Bahodur Sheralizoda; and Uzbekistan Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov.
“As melting glaciers change waterflows, disrupt lives, and destroy ecosystems, we should act now,” stated Asakawa.
“As Asia and the Pacific’s local weather financial institution, we’re happy to be joined by key companions to launch this programme to drive worldwide collaboration and ship outcomes the place they matter most — on the bottom, in communities in danger,” he added.
Glaciers to Farms envisages mobilising as much as $3.5 billion from ADB, GCF, governments, improvement companions, and the personal sector, topic to the taking part establishments’ board approvals.
In addition to water and agriculture investments, the programme will help susceptible communities threatened by glacial soften, significantly in fragile mountain areas.
“The GCF recognises the regional Glaciers to Farms programme as an important initiative to reinforce local weather resilience and promote sustainable improvement,” stated Gonzalez.
“Recognising the profound vulnerability of mountain communities and ecosystems, this programme is instrumental in safeguarding our valuable water assets and empowering these most in danger.
“This programme embodies the important collaboration and revolutionary methods wanted to deal with the extreme challenges posed by local weather change. Together, we are able to construct a resilient and sustainable future for all — particularly for the susceptible populations who rely upon our mountain landscapes,” he added.
The occasion was additionally attended by Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and Georgia Minister for Economy and Sustainable Development Genadi Arveladze.
Why its necessary?
Glaciers are important pure service suppliers, it stated including they retailer freshwater that melts regularly, feeding rivers that help demand for agriculture, hydropower, and consuming water throughout nationwide borders.
In upstream areas, shrinking glaciers diminish water circulate, impacting native agriculture and rising water shortages. Downstream, elevated glacial runoff could cause floods.
As glaciers proceed to shrink, each upstream and downstream communities face higher water and meals insecurity and extra danger to vital infrastructure.
Glaciers to Farms is considered one of a number of ADB initiatives to assist Asia adapt to melting glaciers. In the Hindu Kush Himalaya, ADB is establishing early warning programs and climate-resilient infrastructure.
In monsoonal South and Southeast Asia, the financial institution is enhancing resilience all through total river basins.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation, whereas Tajikistan will host the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe subsequent 12 months.
