The ADB program spans nine countries and addresses glacier loss that threatens water, agriculture and energy.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $250 million for a flagship initiative titled “From Glaciers to Farms” under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The ADB-led program aims to develop sustainable water and agricultural systems in Central Asia and Pakistan, regions heavily dependent on glacial resources, to support vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
According to an ADB statement, most of the GCF support will be provided in the form of grants. Over the next decade, the ADB plans to invest $3.25 billion in regional projects under this program, focusing on efficient irrigation, water storage and watershed management to support agricultural productivity amid increasing risks from melting glaciers, including droughts and floods.
Yasmin Siddiqui, ADB director for agriculture, food, natural resources and rural development, said melting glaciers present a complex development challenge for the region. She highlighted the need for practical, science-based and sustainable solutions to help communities adapt to a changing environment. With the support of the GCF, she said, “From Glaciers to Farms” would enable the region to move from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, long-term resilience framework, protecting the livelihoods of current and future generations.
The program will cover nine ADB member countries: Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These countries rely on glacial rivers and meltwater for agriculture, domestic use and energy production. However, rapidly melting glaciers pose a significant threat to natural resources and economic stability, particularly in countries where around one in four people work in agriculture.
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Focused on four major glacial river basins, including the Naryn and Pyandzh, the initiative will span approximately 27 million hectares, directly benefiting approximately 13 million people, particularly farmers and communities in mountainous regions.
The project will also strengthen climate and glacier research to guide national development planning and investment priorities. It will strengthen early warning systems for emergencies, improve social protection and healthcare in areas affected by water scarcity and extreme temperatures, and strengthen the capacity of local banks to support women-led agricultural businesses.
Thomas Eriksson, GCF regional director for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, described “From Glaciers to Farms” as a “comprehensive and innovative” effort that will help countries in Central and Western Asia coordinate long-term strategies for glacier-based water systems in the face of climate stress. He said the initiative would set a transformative benchmark for regional water and food security through better data, coordination and investment planning.
