On 30 December 2025, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the Renewal of the Status of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre in Kazakhstan as a Category 2 Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO” was signed.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.K. Tokayev, signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the Renewal of the Status of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre in Kazakhstan as a Category 2 Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO” (hereinafter – the Law).

The Law provides for the ratification of the Agreement signed on 19 June 2025 in the city of Astana (hereinafter – the Agreement), which will ensure the renewal of the status of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre (hereinafter – the Centre), established under the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNESCO dated 29 May 2012.

In accordance with the Agreement, the Centre addresses such tasks as conducting scientific research on issues of glaciology and cryosphere components (snow cover, glaciers, permafrost, rock glaciers, buried ice), coordinating research activities and facilitating information exchange among various organizations involved in monitoring the state of glaciers, snow, and permafrost in Central Asia, as well as implementing and developing regional research programmes on glaciological issues in line with the objectives of the International Hydrological Programme.

The Centre, established in 2020 at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNESCO and being the only Glaciological Centre in the world operating under the auspices of UNESCO, will function for a maximum period of eight years in accordance with the Law on the ratification of the Agreement.

The significance of the Centre is determined by the key role of glaciers in ensuring water resources for Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia. Glaciers account for up to 50% of river runoff during the vegetation period and more than 80% of the annual runoff in mountain–glacier basins of the region. These water resources are used for irrigation, energy generation, and water supply, making the condition of glaciers a matter of common regional water security.

The Centre provides government authorities with data and calculations on the state of glaciers and snow cover, as well as on runoff formation in the river basins of the Syr Darya, Amu Darya, Ili, and Chu–Talas rivers. Research is conducted in close cooperation with scientific organizations and experts from Central Asian countries, enabling the development of a unified and comparable scientific database on the region’s water resources.

The efficiency of the Centre’s activities was confirmed by a UNESCO audit in 2023. Experts noted its unique status as the only specialized glaciological centre in Central Asia operating under the auspices of UNESCO, the presence of high-altitude stations and long-term observation series, as well as its key role in data transmission to global monitoring systems, including reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In accordance with the Agreement, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan fully finances the Centre’s activities for an eight-year period.

The signing of the Law on the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the renewal of the status of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre in Kazakhstan as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO represents an important milestone for Kazakhstan and enhances its standing on the international stage.

Contacts for further information:

LLP Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre, Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO

Address: 99 Pushkin Street, Almaty
Tel.: +7 701 770 06 16
Email: info@cargc.org