EXHIBITION OF GLACIERS OF TAJIKISTAN AND SWITZERLAND

On December 9, 2022, the Confederation of Switzerland and the Republic of Tajikistan solemnly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations as a major milestone of bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and Switzerland in the hall of the State Institution “State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Ayni”.

During the event, the Swiss Office for Cooperation in Tajikistan in connection with the State Scientific Institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan» organized an exhibition of photographs of glacier of Switzerland and the Republic of Tajikistan in the hall of Opera and Ballet Theater.

During the opening of the exhibition, the representatives of Tajikistan and Switzerland spoke and expressed their views on the joint cooperation of the parties in the protection of glaciers as the main source of drinking water, It was also notedthat the climate change in both countries did  affect the glaciers andas a result in recent years  glaciers are being damaged. At the same time, during the conference, interestingphotos depicting current state of glaciers in Switzerland and Tajikistanwere exhibited.

In addition, the administration of the State Scientific Institution “Center for

 Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan” presented photos and banners which were taken during the research expeditionary studies of glaciers, providedby satellite cameras and drones.

It should be noted that the State Scientific Institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan” closely cooperates with Swiss universities in the issues of protection and maintenance of glaciers. Moreover, Swiss scientists and researchers actively

 participate in the process of joint expeditions and research conducted by the Institution.

 More than 60 photos and paintings by Swiss scientists and artists were exhibited in the hall, that provide detailed information about the location of glaciers and their current state.

It was emphasized that Tajikistan and Switzerland are very similar in terms of climate and geographical location, and glaciers are the main wealth of both countries. Hence, within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Switzerland, joint and beneficial measures are constantly being implemented in the issue of protection and maintenance of glaciers.

The speaker also noted that the proposal and unique initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan to declare 2025 as the “International Year of Glacier Protection” will be fully supported by the international community. During

his informative speech, Mr. David Grichting highly appreciated the useful cooperation with the State Scientific Institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan” and expressed his satisfaction for achieving significant scientific results and organizing scientific-fundamental research and expeditions using innovative methods.

On behalf of the Republic of Tajikistan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Abdurrahmonzoda Abdurrahman Safarali briefly spoke about the mutually beneficial cooperation between friendly countries. The decline of glaciers and climate change are everyday issues that can only be solved as a result of continuous cooperation. From this point of view, taking into account the geographical location, snow-covered mountains and peaks, glaciers and the climate of the two regions, we should further expand our cooperation. At the same time, a scientific employee of the University of Friborg, Thomas Sachs, gave a detailed information about the results of the cooperation between Tajikistan and

Switzerland on the issues of studying glaciers, noting that since the establishment of the state scientific institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan”, bilateral scientific research in the field of glaciology has developed greatly. In cooperation, the Center has fully implemented the basic research and revived the scientific school of Tajik glaciologists, which is a very significant result during the thirty years of independence.

It should be mentioned that in 2022, about thirty Swiss scientists were mobilized to study the glaciers of Tajikistan.To study glaciers of Tajikistan further, we intend to attract more scientists from the prestigious scientific

centers of Switzerland, thathave more developed technologies and innovative methods for glacier research. And we hope that as a result, the information obtained about two mountainous countries with unique peaks will open new horizons of science.

At the end of the meeting, the director of the Swiss Office for cooperation in Tajikistan, Ms. Salome Shteib, emphasized the contribution of the director of the State Scientific Institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan”, professorAbdulhamid Qayumov, in organizing this exhibitionand sharing relevant and significant

information about current state of glaciers in both countries. It should be noted that the exhibition was held on December 10 and 11, 2022 in the building of the Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Ayni. Citizens, guests, students and schoolchildren also visited the theater and enjoyed watching the paintings in the hall.

The  staff of the State Scientific Institution “Center for Research of Glaciers of the National Academy of Sciences of the Tajikistan” presented accurate and useful information on the current state of the glaciers of Tajikistan and Switzerland in the process of climate change, and at the same time provided scientific answers to important questions.