The ADB program spans nine countries and tackles glacier loss that threatens water, agriculture and 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 program 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, the majority of GCF support will be provided as 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 glacier melt, including drought and floods.
ADB’s Director of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Rural Development Yasmin Siddiqui said glacier melting poses a complex development challenge for the region. She emphasized the need for practical, science-based and sustainable solutions to help communities adapt to the changing environment. With GCF support, she said “glaciers to farms” would move the region from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, long-term resilience framework that protects livelihoods for current and future generations.
The program will cover nine ADB member countries – Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These nations depend on glacial and meltwater rivers for agriculture, domestic use and energy production. But the rapid loss of glaciers poses a significant threat to natural resources and economic stability, especially in countries where around one in four people work 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, particularly farmers and communities in mountainous areas.
The project will also strengthen climate and glacier research to guide national development planning and investment priorities. It will improve emergency early warning systems, improve social protection and health care in areas affected 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.
