The presentation was held using the example of the "FOLUR — Uzbekistan" project, implemented jointly by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
During the session, practical approaches to water conservation, artificial glacier construction, and the restoration of degraded landscapes were demonstrated, with particular emphasis placed on "Ice Stupa" technology.
It was noted that climate change, rising temperatures, accelerated glacial melt, and shifting precipitation patterns have made water resource conservation increasingly critical across Central Asia, including in Uzbekistan.
According to official projections, by 2050, water availability in Uzbekistan could decline by 30–40 percent, while demand for irrigation water may rise by 25 percent. The volume of water deficit is projected to grow from roughly 3 billion cubic meters in 2015 to 7 billion cubic meters by 2030, potentially reaching 15 billion cubic meters by 2050.
In partnership with the FAO, the Ecology Committee introduced "Ice Stupa" artificial glacier technology in Uzbekistan for the first time. The initiative is executed within the framework of the "Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program in Uzbekistan" (FOLUR), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Within the project's scope, the country's first pilot artificial glacier was constructed in the Sarchashma area of the Shakhrisabz district in the Kashkadarya region. Launched on January 9, 2026, the system utilizes natural elevation gradients and gravitational water pressure, operating completely without electric pumps.
During its initial testing phase, approximately 800 cubic meters of ice accumulated at the installation. Meltwater from the structure subsequently supplied around 60 local households.
The technology operates on the principle of channeling available winter water sources through specialized vertical pipes and spraying it into freezing air, allowing the water to solidify into massive conical ice structures. The stored ice gradually melts during spring and summer when agricultural and domestic water demand peaks, creating a vital supplementary water reserve.
This nature-based solution enables winter water banking in frozen form, enhances water security in arid mountainous areas, generates additional supply for agriculture and local residents, and strengthens community resilience against drought and climate variability.
