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 agricultural and water systems in Central Asia and Pakistan, regions that rely heavily on glacial resources, to support vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
According to an ADB statement, the majority of GCF support will be provided in the form of grants. Over the next decade, ADB plans to invest $3.25 billion in regional projects under the program, focusing on efficient irrigation, water storage and watershed management to sustain agricultural productivity amid growing risks from melting glaciers, including droughts and floods.
ADB Director of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Rural Development Yasmin Siddiqui said melting glaciers present a complex development challenge for the region. He highlighted the need for practical, science-based and sustainable solutions to help communities adapt to the changing environment. With support from the GCF, he said, “From Glaciers to Farms” would move the region from fragmented interventions to a long-term coordinated resilience framework, protecting the livelihoods of current and future generations.
The program will cover nine ADB member countries: Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These nations depend on glacial rivers and meltwater for agriculture, domestic use and energy generation. However, the rapid loss of glaciers poses 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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The initiative, which will focus on four major glacial river basins, including the Naryn and Pyandzh, will cover approximately 27 million hectares and will directly benefit some 13 million people, especially 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 improve early warning systems for emergencies, improve social protection and healthcare in areas affected by water scarcity and extreme heat, and build 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 under climate stress. He said the initiative would establish a transformative benchmark for regional food and water security through better data, coordination and investment planning.
