Joint Expedition to the Kara-Batkak Glacier: Spotlight on Climate Action and Sustainable Water Management

The expedition aimed to draw public and international attention to the alarming retreat of glaciers, especially the Kara-Batkak Glacier — a lifeline of fresh water for Central Asia. 

During the expedition, participants reviewed the findings from decades of scientific observations conducted by Kyrgyz researchers, and discussed measures to safeguard water resources, protect Kyrgyzstan’s rich biodiversity, and strengthen climate adaptation in the face of rapidly accelerating change.

Deputy Chairman Edil Baisalov stressed that decisions on sustainable development must be grounded in scientific evidence:

“Kyrgyzstan is a land of glaciers, and we have a duty to safeguard this unique resource. The shrinking of our glaciers is not just an environmental concern — it is a matter of national security, water stability, and the country’s future development.”

UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe underscored the broader global significance of scientific research carried out in Kyrgyzstan and linked it to the urgent need for climate finance and ecosystem protection:

“Research on the Kara-Batkak Glacier matters far beyond Kyrgyzstan. It guides national strategies and strengthens global climate action. Protecting glaciers also preserves biodiversity and sustains the ecosystems communities rely on. Therefore, climate finance must reach mountain countries like Kyrgyzstan to scale up adaptation, safeguard nature, and secure the water future of millions in Kyrgyzstan and beyond.”

Joining the expedition, Director of the Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower at the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Rysbek Satylkanov presented up-to-date scientific data on glacier conditions and projected their impact on the country’s water resources.

The Tien-Shan High-Altitude Physical and Geographical Station, established in 1957, is a unique mountain research facility where glaciological, meteorological, and hydrological monitoring has been carried out for decades. The Kara-Batkak Glacier, located within the station’s observation zone, serves as a key indicator of climate change in the region.

The Kyrgyz Republic is committed to remaining an active player in global efforts to combat climate change, while strengthening its national scientific capacity and deepening cooperation with the UN and other international partners to protect its glaciers and its ecosystems and ensure sustainable water management for future generations.