On 5 January 2026, Senators of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, S. M. Yershov and Zh. B. Assanova, met with the staff of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre in Kazakhstan as a Category 2 Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO. During the meeting, issues related to the Centre’s development strategy within the framework of the country’s balanced environmental development were discussed.

The Director of the Centre, Professor T. O. Balykbaev, informed the participants that on 30 December 2025, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K. K. Tokayev, had signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and 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.” This important Agreement is aimed at further developing international scientific cooperation in the field of glacier, snow, and permafrost studies, as well as assessing their impact on the region’s water resources under conditions of climate change.

Professor T. O. Balykbaev presented an overview of the Centre’s activities and future prospects. The Scientific Director of the Centre, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan I. V. Severskiy, spoke about the main scientific results achieved, including joint international projects. In this context, the importance of monitoring glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost in the mountainous regions of Central Asia was emphasized.

It was also highlighted that the Centre is actively involved in the implementation of the objectives of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and is participating in the preparation of an environmental summit and the Water Towers Partnership initiative.

During the meeting, Senator S. M. Yershov emphasized the need to consolidate and coordinate the efforts of the country’s leading organizations involved in cryosphere monitoring and research in order to forecast hazardous extreme events such as mudflows and floods. Senator Zh. B. Assanova raised issues related to investment and the economic outcomes of scientific research.

The meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.

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