A pioneering research initiative led by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was officially included in the endorsed activities list of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD).

The initiative, titled "Glacier Protection, Disaster Assessment, and Sustainable Development Pathways in Tajikistan, Central Asia" (short name: GDP-Tajikistan), has been endorsed as a "Project" within the IDSSD framework. It is slated for prominent promotion at the UN Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, scheduled for July 15, 2026, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

This endorsement highlights the sustained contributions of researchers from both China and Tajikistan to critical areas such as glacier conservation, disaster risk assessment, and sustainable development in Central Asia. The GDP-Tajikistan project builds upon years of collaborative research among multiple institutions.

The initiative specifically targets Tajikistan, a nation where 85% of its territory faces significant risks from glacial floods and debris flows, exacerbated by a warming climate. The project will undertake comprehensive assessments of glacier changes, forecast hydrological trends, evaluate disaster risks, map hazard zones, and explore synergies between water, energy, and food systems. The ultimate goal is to propose actionable strategies for disaster mitigation and sustainable resource management.

This recognition signifies XIEG's expanding international influence in Central Asian glacier research and disaster risk management. It also establishes a vital new platform for Chinese scientific institutions to foster deep engagement in global partnerships for sustainable development.

The UN resolution on the "International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033)" was adopted by the UN General Assembly in August 2023, aiming to foster global scientific cooperation for sustainable development.

For details, please see: https://www.un-sciences-decade.org/en/endorsed-activities/glacier-protection-disaster-assessment-and-sustainable-development-pathways-tajikistan-central-asia.