The pace of global climate change is such that living conditions in some regions of the planet may change dramatically within the coming decades. Mountain ranges and adjacent territories are increasingly experiencing heat waves and prolonged droughts, accelerating glacier degradation. As this trend continues, many regions — including dozens of countries that depend on mountain water sources — are beginning to face growing water shortages.
The climate in high mountains is changing faster than the global average. Scientists note that weather is unpredictable, and if humanity does not take measures to adapt to climate risks, irreversible processes may begin, threatening even prosperous countries' survival. Moisture deficits will inevitably lead to a reduction in agricultural and livestock production, leading to a series of devastating crises.
For several decades, Kyrgyzstan has been actively drawing international attention to these challenges, calling for collective action and the development of global mechanisms aimed at protecting mountain ecosystems and ensuring sustainable development in regions most vulnerable to climate shocks.
The Second Global Mountain Summit, scheduled to take place in Bishkek in the fall of 2027, will serve as a midterm milestone in the implementation of the UN’s five-year agenda on mountain development. Issues related to adaptation to climate change will be discussed at the level of heads of state. This challenge requires coordinated international action. If mountain countries lose their glaciers, dozens of countries located on continental plains could face severe water shortages.
Experts from the Eurasian Development Bank emphasize that the threat of water shortages in Central Asia over the coming decades remains a significant challenge and requires systematic attention. At the same time, the situation should not be interpreted as an inevitable crisis scenario. While the region currently has sufficient water resources, urgent measures are needed to improve their efficient use and governance.
“We welcome the Global Mountain Summit and other international initiatives focused on the climate agenda. These platforms bring together all stakeholders, help formulate a shared vision and action plan, and align positions on key areas of climate policy.
This is an opportunity to hear the positions of government agencies, financial institutions, and international organizations, as well as academic experts and local community representatives. Only the coordinated efforts of these participants enable the development of truly effective solutions.
It is particularly important that adaptation to climate change is at the center of the discussion. For a long time, adaptation was overshadowed by measures aimed at reducing emissions. However, for many Central Asian countries, adaptation is one of the most critical components of the climate agenda. The region’s economic and social well-being — including water availability, food security and the preservation of unique mountain ecosystems — directly depends on the ability to implement and scale up effective adaptation solutions.
We expect the summit to become an important step toward expanding international cooperation and promoting practical measures for climate change adaptation, particularly in the vulnerable mountain regions of Central Asia,” Evgeniya Klochkova, Head of the Sustainable Development Center of the Eurasian Development Bank, told Kabar News Agency.
The Eurasian Development Bank notes that it consistently supports its partners in achieving ambitious climate goals.
"The Bank invests in projects with significant emission reduction potential, provides technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of green initiatives, and provides expert support to countries in the region in their transition to a low-carbon economy. By the end of 2025, the Bank's current portfolio of green projects reached USD 1.1 billion, 96% of which are climate mitigation projects. In line with the priorities of countries in the region, we support the development of renewable energy and the implementation of energy-efficient solutions. Key projects include the reconstruction of the Almaty Thermal Power Plant (TPP) with the conversion of the plant from coal to gas and the construction of a 300 MW solar power plant in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan," the bank said.
Environmental experts note that the first steps toward water conservation are relatively straightforward. These include concreting irrigation canals and maintaining reservoirs with ten-day and daily regulation capacities.
Currently, hundreds of kilometers of irrigation systems in the region are dug directly into clay soil, and by the time water reaches agricultural fields through open ditches, losses can reach up to 60%. Therefore, the agricultural sector urgently needs to introduce piped water delivery systems and expand the use of modern irrigation technologies such as sprinkler and drip irrigation.
To slow the rate of warming in mountainous regions, experts emphasize the need to expand forest cover around glaciers and construct new hydraulic infrastructure to store water. These are large-scale and capital-intensive projects that require joint implementation. Countries where the continent’s major waterways originate must receive greater support from neighboring states and international partners.
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences and Academician Zhamin Akimaliev noted that hydraulic structures located in Kyrgyzstan supply a significant share of water resources to neighboring countries.
“About a quarter of the capacity of the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir and more than 80 percent of the water flow from the Kirov Reservoir goes directly to Kazakhstan, while more than 90 percent of the water from the large Toktogul Reservoir is used to irrigate cotton fields in Uzbekistan.
Our economically strong and friendly neighbors could and should directly participate financially in creating a large forest ‘shield’ around glaciers to help slow their melting. They could also contribute to the transition to green energy through the construction of new reservoirs and hydropower plants, as well as to the modernization of hundreds of kilometers of irrigation systems in order to minimize irreversible water losses,” Academician Zhamin Akimaliev said.
According to the scientist, successfully hosting the Global Mountain Summit in 2027 with the participation of responsible representatives of the international community should be an absolute priority for Kyrgyzstan. This is due to the fact that 94 percent of the country’s territory consists of mountainous areas, and as global warming accelerates, such ecosystems are becoming increasingly unstable and unpredictable. The risks are growing, and there is little time left to implement coordinated measures to adapt to climate shocks.