UNESCO will create maps of glaciers and subglacial lakes in four Central Asian countries by 2025, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced, TASS reports.
She called for the expansion of scientific cooperation in the countries of Central Asia, primarily on issues of transboundary water resources, speaking at the International Astana Forum. .
"The problem of transboundary water resources requires cooperation. Since 2021, we have been working with four countries in the region to provide a deeper understanding through science and in order to prepare for possible overflow of mountain lakes due to glacier melt. By 2025, we want to map glaciers and subglacial lakes in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan," Azoulay said.
She also urged all countries involved in the region to assess the risks posed to vulnerable communities by melting glaciers. The third area of cooperation, according to her, is the development of an early warning system, which is necessary to protect citizens directly exposed to risks.
“I am pleased to announce here the launch of a major project with five countries in the region, funded through the Global Environment Facility. For the first time, we will get an idea and monitor the regional cryosphere - this is glaciers, and permafrost, and snow resources,” she added.
“When nature is destroyed, so are the cultures that depend on nature. Central Asia is the most wonderful place to measure risk. Because it is part of a continent with a long culture of nomadism and interaction with natural resources. We see this diversity of cultures in the region along which the Silk Road ran", concluded Azule in her report in Astana.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 12, 2023