As part of the 4th International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018–2028, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through its regional programme “Green Central Asia, Phase II”, in cooperation with the Agency for Hydrometeorology under the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as international and national development partners, organized the Central Asian Coordination Forum on Glacier and Cryosphere Monitoring, Assessment and Predictive Modelling. The Forum served as one of the key expert platforms of the Conference, bringing together more than 150 participants, including leading glaciologists, climatologists, hydrologists, representatives of government institutions, international organizations, research institutes, and members of the academic community from Central Asia and other regions of the world. Discussions focused on current trends in glacier and cryosphere change, the enhancement of monitoring systems, and the exchange of advanced scientific knowledge and technologies aimed at improving climate risk assessment and water resource forecasting.
The Forum also provided an opportunity to discuss prospects for strengthening regional cooperation in glaciological research, advancing joint scientific initiatives, harmonizing monitoring methodologies, and expanding access to observational data. Particular attention was given to the integration of scientific findings into policy and decision-making processes aimed at climate change adaptation and ensuring the region’s long-term water security. Participants emphasized that the accelerated retreat of glaciers in Central Asia represents one of the most significant challenges to sustainable development, requiring coordinated action at both national and regional levels. The Forum reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnerships among the scientific community, government institutions, and international organizations to support evidence-based policymaking in the field of water resources management and the preservation of Central Asia’s cryosphere for future