OMM Newsroom
Melting glaciers, recurring droughts and dust storms in Central Asia are increasing pressure on water resources, agriculture and public health. At COP31, Uzbekistan put forward a new model for regional partnership, while neighboring countries outlined plans to protect glaciers, strengthen resilience in mountainous areas and develop climate technologies.
Central Asia faces water scarcity, land degradation and increasingly severe weather events, AnewZ reports. According to the Central Asian Climate Portal, more than 50 percent of the region is at high risk of drought, with severe drought periods recurring every five to six years.
Since the beginning of the century, glaciers in Kyrgyzstan and the wider Tien Shan region have shrunk by about 17 percent. This threatens the long-term water supply of downstream countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. In 2025, precipitation and snow cover in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were reported to be at about 80 percent of historical averages. This has put additional pressure on major reservoirs, including Toktogul and Nurek.
Land degradation is also a major problem in the region. As the Aral Sea dried up, about 60,000 square kilometers of seabed were exposed, creating the Aralkum Desert. Strong winds carry salt and dust particles from the exposed area over long distances, worsening air quality, threatening public health and damaging farmland.
Uzbekistan proposes climate partnership
Speaking at COP31 in Antalya, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed a new model for climate cooperation in Central Asia.
The initiative covers three areas: information sharing, technology and financing. Uzbekistan proposed a regional mechanism for sharing data on climate-related disaster risks and establishing early warning systems. Support from the World Meteorological Organization is envisaged for this work.
The proposal also includes nature-based solutions for land restoration, carbon absorption and combating dust and sand storms. Mirziyoyev proposed turning the “Eco Expo” exhibition into a permanent platform to attract investment in environmental technologies tailored to the region’s needs.
To secure financing, the proposal calls for cooperation with development banks and specialized funds, including mechanisms for concessional grants and financial support for projects focused on water management and arid regions.
Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had achieved ahead of schedule its previous target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35 percent. The country aims to cut emissions intensity by 50 percent by 2035.
The opening ceremony of the UN Climate Change Conference held as part of COP31 was linked to Ankara.
Regional countries put forward glacier protection and resilience initiatives
Other countries in the region are seeking to increase international support to address shared climate threats.
Tajikistan has called for increased international financing to protect glaciers, manage water resources and help mountain communities adapt to climate change. Along with Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, it hosted a high-level event on glacier protection, mountain resilience and climate finance.
Kyrgyzstan is promoting the creation of a Global Mountain Resilience Center. Kazakhstan presented an investment platform for renewable energy, power grids and energy storage systems. Turkmenistan proposed establishing a Regional Climate Technology Center to promote the sharing of climate data, expertise and technologies.
These initiatives highlight the importance of closer regional cooperation as climate threats intensify. Protecting glaciers, restoring degraded land and strengthening disaster preparedness are important for Central Asia’s water resources, people’s livelihoods and long-term environmental resilience.
