Bearing Witness to a Melting Planet: Reflections from the Dushanbe Conference on Glaciers

 

Kamrul Hossain

From May 29 to 31, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan—an experience that left a deep and lasting impression on me. More than just a gathering of high-level officials, scientists, and policymakers, the conference served as a global call to action during the United Nations' International Year of Glacier Preservation. Approximately 2,500 participants from 90 countries attended, including heads of state and government and/or their representatives.

From the outset, it was clear this event would be different. The pre-conference forums set both an emotional and intellectual tone that remained with me throughout. I was especially moved by the Women and Youth Forum, where young leaders and women from glacier-dependent communities shared powerful stories of resilience, adaptation, and loss. Simultaneously, the Academic Forum was brimming with fresh research—from glacial melt dynamics to water stress and climate adaptation—sparking urgent conversations among scientists, students, and decision-makers. It was also encouraging to see how business and technology are being mobilized in the service of climate resilience, when driven by purpose and guided by data.

As the main conference commenced, I attended several side sessions that highlighted just how high the stakes are. One session on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) illustrated the catastrophic risks sudden flooding poses to vulnerable mountain communities. Another examined permafrost thaw and the dangerous climate feedback loops it may trigger. Sessions on hydrometeorology and GIS technologies showcased how cutting-edge tools are helping map glacial retreat and predict meltwater flows with increasing accuracy.

Yet, what struck me most was the repeated call for international cooperation. In one powerful panel, representatives from Central Asia, the Andes, and the Himalayas reminded us that glaciers do not recognize national borders—and neither should the policies designed to protect them. Broader discussions on water for sustainable development extended this vision, linking glacier preservation to agriculture, hydropower, and human rights—especially in water-scarce regions.

On May 30 and 31, alongside plenary sessions attended by world leaders—including heads of state and government—I joined several thematic sessions that dug even deeper into the role glaciers play in sustaining the vital systems of our planet. One session connected the rapid melting in the Arctic and Antarctic to rising sea levels that endanger Small Island Developing States. Another explored the consequences of glacial retreat for water security in Central Asia and northern Pakistan. A particularly compelling session titled “Glacier Futures: Linking Knowledge, Communities, and Policy” examined how glacier loss is reshaping landscapes, ecosystems, and economies, underscoring the need for nature-based solutions and inclusive, community-driven policies.

Of course, there were many overlapping and equally compelling sessions, making it impossible to attend them all. However, I was especially intrigued by discussions on transboundary cooperation, particularly in Central and West Asia. Leaders from the region emphasized the importance of coordinated regional action to safeguard shared water resources that support over 350 million people directly, and even more when considering broader ripple effects.

On the final day, I attended a sobering yet hopeful presentation on glacier projections. The data presented was clear: while the future of the cryosphere is deeply uncertain, the 1.5°C global warming target is still within reach. Stark visual comparisons between high- and low-emissions scenarios left a lasting impression.

Beyond the sessions, the “Melting of the Century” exhibition offered a haunting yet beautiful portrayal of what we stand to lose. Through a combination of art, science, and storytelling, the exhibit brought the glacier crisis vividly to life. The field trips into Tajikistan’s glaciated regions were among the most powerful moments for me. Standing at the edge of a receding glacier, I truly felt the weight of what we had all come together to protect.

By the conference’s end, I witnessed the adoption of several landmark documents: the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration, the Chair’s Summary, and the Glaciers Appeal: A Call for Action. These will feed into global processes like COP30 and the 2026 UN Water Conference. But what I took home went beyond policy documents—it was the emotional gravity of a shared realization: preserving glaciers is not just a scientific or political challenge—it is a moral imperative. I left Dushanbe reminded that the cryosphere is not a distant, abstract concept—it is a vital pulse of our planet. Its fate, and ours, are inextricably linked.