Publication “The Impact of Glacier Melting on National and Transboundary Water Systems in Central Asia”

3 Sep 2013

Publication “The Impact of Glacier Melting on National and Transboundary Water Systems in Central Asia”

The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia has issued a new publication on “The Impact of Glacier Melting on National and Trans-Boundary Water Systems in Central Asia”.

This report has been prepared by an independent consultant for the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), based on presentations and discussions at the International Seminar on glacier melting on national and trans-boundary water systems co-organized on 11-12 April 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, by UNRCCA, UNESCO, EC IFAS and the World Bank for the 20th anniversary of IFAS. This report is a summary of the proceedings.

The two-day seminar commenced with the organizers giving an in-depth introduction and guiding statements. This was followed by a scientific overview of the state of glaciers and snow-ice resources of high mountains and prevailing trends. The impact of glaciers melting and the reduction of snow-ice resources on water cycles and water formations were also discussed before a look was taken at the socio-economic and environmental changes in the region caused by climate change.

The seminar was attended by national delegations from the five Central Asia countries and Afghanistan, including representatives of a range of Ministries and Agencies. All of the countries took an active part in the discussions. In addition, representatives of UNDP, UNESCAP, EC-IFAS, SIC ICWC, CAREC, USAID, and IOWater also participated in the event.

The publication is expected to be of interest to diplomats, state officials, academic circles and political analysts of Central Asian states and the international expert community that follows up on the developments in the region.
THE IMPACT OF GLACIER MELTING ON NATIONAL AND TRANS-BOUNDARY WATER SYSTEMS IN CENTRAL ASIA

Author: Alfred Diebold
No. of pages: 50
Publication date: 2013
Publisher: UNRCCA
Download PDF: English