OMM Newsroom
Uzbekistan has presented its first artificial glacier project at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, as water scarcity worsens across Central Asia, AnewZ reported. The project aims to store water in winter for use during warmer months.
According to an official statement, the initiative was presented on November 10 at a meeting between Aziz Abdukhakimov, the Uzbek president’s adviser on environmental issues and chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and representatives of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Official forecasts suggest that water availability in Uzbekistan could fall by 30–40% by 2050, while demand for irrigation could rise by 25%.
“Ice Stupa” technology stores water in winter
The technology, known as “Ice Stupa,” uses winter frost to create large ice formations. Water drawn from existing sources is carried through pipes in a specialized system and sprayed into the cold air, where it freezes.
As the ice gradually melts in spring and summer, it provides an additional water supply for farms and nearby settlements. The system is designed to store water in winter and make it available during the warm growing season in mountainous and drought-prone areas.
First pilot glacier built in Kashkadarya region
Uzbekistan has introduced the technology in partnership with FAO through the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The initiative is part of the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme (FOLUR), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The country’s first pilot glacier was built in the Sarchashma area of Shahrisabz district, Kashkadarya region. The facility began operating on January 9, 2026, regional media reported. It uses natural elevation differences and water pressure, so it does not require electric pumps.
During initial testing, about 800 cubic meters of ice accumulated at the site. The meltwater reportedly supplied about 60 local families. The technology’s long-term effectiveness and potential for wider use have yet to be established.
Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change has warned that rising temperatures, glacier melt and changing precipitation patterns are increasing pressure on water resources in Central Asia.
According to forecasts cited by the committee, Uzbekistan’s water deficit could rise from about 3 billion cubic meters in 2015 to 7 billion cubic meters in 2030 and 15 billion cubic meters in 2050.
With water resources declining and agricultural demand increasing, water storage and more efficient irrigation are becoming increasingly important. The project is also part of Uzbekistan’s international cooperation efforts to strengthen climate resilience, conserve water, promote sustainable land management and improve agricultural resilience. If successful, the technology could help communities facing water shortages in Central Asia build up seasonal water supplies.
