The first International Conference on Glacier Conservation was held in Dushanbe from May 29 to June 1. Politicians and experts from around the world discussed measures needed to slow the melting of glaciers, as well as increasing resilience to the consequences of their accelerated melting.

In Central and West Asia, where water is already scarce, solutions are emerging. Countries are joining forces and rethinking how they store, manage, and distribute water to meet each other’s needs. Here are five approaches that are changing the region’s water future.

Flood Early Warning Systems

There are more than 4,500 glacial lakes in Central Asia, many of which formed recently as glaciers retreat. Their increasing volume increases the risk of lake outbursts (GLOF), floods, avalanches and landslides. This poses a threat to mountain populations as well as to the infrastructure that provides access to markets and social services.

Changing glacier melt patterns make seasonal water availability difficult to predict. Earlier spring floods and reduced summer runoff disrupt crop planting and irrigation schedules and reservoir planning.

To counter these risks, countries are investing in early warning systems, including satellite data, river flow sensors, local observations and automated alerts.

For example, in Tajikistan, where remote communities face high risks of flooding and inundation, new glacial lake monitoring systems and digital forecasting tools are helping to provide early warning of potential breakthroughs, floods, and even impending heat waves.

Using these systems in vulnerable downstream river basins will give farmers more time to adapt. Early warning of potential flooding allows communities and governments to better plan and protect people and their property.

Natural methods of adaptation

As rainfall and runoff become increasingly unpredictable, natural adaptation methods can be effective for communities. Restoring wetlands and forests on slopes helps minimize flood risk and conserve water for dry periods.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are integrating nature-based adaptation methods into their national programmes. In the mountains of Tajikistan, slopes are terraced, grasses are planted and shallow trenches are dug to retain runoff rainwater, prevent soil erosion and replenish groundwater resources.

Smart irrigation systems

Agriculture consumes more than 80% of Central Asia’s fresh water. However, deteriorating canals and pumps, as well as the use of inefficient methods such as flooding fields, result in the loss of up to 50% of precious water resources.

Modernizing irrigation is one of the fastest ways to save water and increase agricultural yields. This involves simple techniques such as leveling fields so that water reaches all crops evenly. With ADB support, Uzbekistan is working to level vast agricultural areas.

Tajikistan is piloting solar-powered drip irrigation and automation of small pumps in high-altitude farms, using solar energy to power the pumps and deliver constant moisture directly to plant roots. Similar technologies are being rolled out across the region.

Wider adoption of such tools will require investments in training, cost sharing, and supply chains that help farmers adopt modern methods. This could ultimately lead to sustainable yield increases, resource savings, and improved soil health that allow farmers to “grow more with every drop of water.”

Forecasting water resources in river basins

New tools based on satellite data are making it easier to predict water availability. Digital platforms combine climate, hydrological and agricultural data to manage seasonal water allocation.

The key is for those responsible for water management, including women, to have access to this information and be able to analyse it quickly.

Real-time data on snow cover, glacier melt, and agricultural needs are already being used to regulate reservoir releases and schedule irrigation. In Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, water authorities are using such models to better manage upstream and downstream interests. These tools make systems smarter and fairer, ensuring timely delivery of water to users.

Data exchange and regional management

Water flows across borders, but data is often delayed. Ministries and agencies in the region continue to operate in isolation, leaving decision makers without information about who needs water, where, when, and in what quantities.

In this regard, ADB supports the establishment of river basin coordination platforms and stakeholder mapping. Regional initiatives such as the ADB-supported Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Water Pillar are helping to improve transparency and strengthen cooperation in Central Asian countries.

Addressing common challenges, such as managing water scarcity and uncertain flow patterns, can bring countries together . By finding such common ground, ADB helps build trust and share knowledge among countries. As a result, countries in the region have begun discussing transboundary water infrastructure. Such initiatives can bring mutual benefits, including more water for farmers.

ADB’s Glacier-to-Farms program supports smart irrigation, early warning systems, open data sharing, and operational planning tools. It will be implemented in phases, with priority given to river basins that are at greatest risk from glacier melt, while strengthening institutional and technical capacity for long-term resilience across the region. Together with the Green Climate Fund, the regional program aims to mobilize up to $3.5 billion in adaptation investments in nine countries.

These initiatives, along with the new water-sharing agreement, demonstrate a commitment to cooperation. But it must deliver tangible benefits for communities. With robust tools and smart collaboration, countries can protect what matters most – water, livelihoods, and regional resilience.

Yasmin Siddiqui, ADB Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development.

Bakhodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan.

https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2025/06/04/adb/

Machine Translated by Google