CESDRR and the UNESCO-affiliated Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre Strengthen Partnership in Disaster Risk Reduction

On 19 February 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation was signed between the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre (Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO) and the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR).

The document was signed by the heads of the respective organizations — Director of the Glaciological Centre, Takir Balykbayev, and Director of the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction, Dzhergalbek Ukashev.

The signing of the Memorandum aims to advance institutional partnership, strengthen scientific, technical and expert cooperation, and consolidate efforts in the field of disaster risk reduction across the Central Asian region.

The parties emphasized that combining scientific, analytical and practical capacities will enhance the effectiveness of natural hazard monitoring, improve early warning mechanisms, and strengthen regional security in the context of climate change and cryosphere degradation.

During the meeting, Director of CESDRR Dzhergalbek Ukashev briefed Mr. Takir Balykbayev on the key initiatives and main areas of activity of the Center.

In turn, Takir Balykbayev presented information on the activities of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre, highlighting its role in conducting glacier research, monitoring the state of the cryosphere, advancing glaciological observations, and promoting regional and international cooperation in studying the impacts of climate change on glacier systems.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed confidence that the signing of the Memorandum will serve as an important step in strengthening scientific and practical cooperation, enabling the consolidation of expert potential, and facilitating the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of Central Asian countries to natural hazards.