On April 11, 2022, presentation of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centrer as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO of the Committee Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in "Gylym Ordasy" in Almaty.
The Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as the Centre) was established on the basis of Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNESCO, at the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and with the consent of the governments of neighboring countries of Central Asia - Republic of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Russian Federation. The activities of the Centre are funded by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan from September 13, 2021 No. 636 the Center became an organization subordinate to the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Center was established to conduct scientific research in the area of glaciology, coordinate research activities and exchange information between different organizations involved in monitoring of the condition of glaciers, snow and permafrost in Central Asia, implement and develop regional research programs in glaciology that meet the goals of the International Hydrological program.
The Centre is also supposed to promote the implementation of UNESCO programs, provides opportunities to promote and share the potential, technical expertise and experience of Member States and to contribute to the creation of regional research nets and act as a resource centre.
The Centre solves problems from monitoring the dynamics of the mountain cryosphere (snow cover, glaciers, ground ice) to informing the population and decision makers about the activities of the Centre and possible risks. The key task is the development of glaciological aspects of the problem of water security.
In Central Asia, the melt waters of the snow cover and glaciers form at least 80% of the annual runoff (before the rivers leave the mountains), and the glacial runoff, amounting to 30-40% of the river runoff during the growing season, provides the very possibility of the existence of irrigated agriculture. Therefore, studies of the dynamics of snow and glacier resources in the mountainous part of the basins are the focus of the scientific research of the Centre.
Activities of the Center are managed by the International Board of Governors, which includes representatives of Kazakhstan, Director-General of UNESCO and representatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Russian Federation.
The Centre has two high-mountain scientific stations at altitude of over 3500 m above sea level in the Northern Tien Shan mountain range. They are: "Tuiyksu Glacier" and "Zhosaly-Kezen", on the basis of which continuous year-round observations have been conducted since 1956.
The Centre has two high-mountain scientific stations at altitude of over 3500 m above sea level in the Northern Tien Shan mountain range. They are: "Tuiyksu Glacier" and "Zhosaly-Kezen", on the basis of which continuous year-round observations have been conducted since 1956.
The presentation of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO was presented by the director, professor T.O. Balykbayev and scientific supervisor, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan I.V. Severskiy. During the discussion were asked questions about the work and development prospects of the Centre with wishes for further successful activities.
Contacts:
LLP "Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre
as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO"
Address: Almaty, Pushkin st., 99
Phone: +7(727) 291 81 29, 291 88 69
Email: info@cargc.org
