ADB programme spans nine countries, tackling glacier loss threatening water, agriculture, energy
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $250 million for a flagship initiative titled “Glaciers to Farms” under the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The ADB-led programme aims to develop sustainable water and agricultural systems across 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 as grants. Over the next decade, ADB plans to invest $3.25 billion in regional projects under the programme, focusing on efficient irrigation, water storage, and watershed management to sustain agricultural productivity amid growing risks from glacier melt, including droughts and floods.
ADB’s Director for Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources, and Rural Development Yasmin Siddiqui said glacier melt presents a complex development challenge for the region. She stressed the need for practical, science-based, and sustainable solutions to help communities adapt to the changing environment. With GCF backing, she said, “Glaciers to Farms” would shift the region from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, long-term resilience framework, protecting livelihoods for current and future generations.
The programme will cover nine ADB member countries — Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations rely on glacial and meltwater rivers for agriculture, household 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 works in agriculture.
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Focusing on four major glacial river basins, including the Naryn and Pyandzh, the initiative will span approximately 27 million hectares, directly benefiting an estimated 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 enhance early warning systems for emergencies, improve social protection and healthcare in areas hit by water scarcity and heat extremes, and build the capacity of local banks to support women-led agricultural enterprises.
Thomas Eriksson, GCF Regional Director for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, described “Glaciers to Farms” as a “comprehensive and innovative” effort that will help countries in Central and West Asia coordinate long-term strategies for glacier-based water systems under climate stress. He said the initiative would set a transformative benchmark for regional water and food security through better data, coordination, and investment planning.
