$250 Million Approved for Glacial Melt Adaptation Programme Covering 9 Countries, Including Pakistan
October 29, 2025
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $250 million for a major climate adaptation programme designed to strengthen water and agriculture systems in glacier-dependent regions across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
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‘Glaciers to Farms’ Programme Launched
The initiative, titled “Glaciers to Farms,” is being led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and includes nine member countries — Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries rely heavily on glacier- and snow-fed rivers for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity generation.
The programme will focus on four major glacier-fed river basins: the Naryn and Pyanj in Central Asia, the Kura in the South Caucasus, and the Swat River in Pakistan. Together, these basins cover around 27 million hectares of land.
Protecting Livelihoods in Vulnerable Areas
According to ADB, the programme will directly benefit around 13 million people, including farmers and vulnerable communities living in fragile mountain regions. It aims to support climate and glacier assessments, strengthen early warning systems, and help manage disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods and prolonged droughts.
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Accelerated glacial melting poses a serious risk to agriculture and ecosystems, particularly in countries where nearly one in four people work in farming. To counter this, GCF funding will primarily be provided as grants, complemented by an additional $3.25 billion investment from ADB over the next decade.
Building Climate Resilience
The programme’s projects will promote efficient irrigation, water storage, and watershed management to improve agricultural productivity despite the growing threat of droughts and floods caused by climate change.
“Rapid glacial retreat is one of the most complex development challenges in our region,” said Yasmin Siddiqi, ADB Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development. “With catalytic support from GCF, this initiative will drive systemic, long-term resilience that protects lives and livelihoods for future generations.”
GCF Director Thomas Eriksson added, “This programme sets a transformative benchmark by improving data, coordination, and financing readiness to strengthen climate resilience across glacier-fed water systems in Central and West Asia.”
The Glaciers to Farms programme is expected to play a pivotal role in helping Pakistan and neighboring countries adapt to glacial melt challenges, ensuring sustainable water use, and protecting the livelihoods of millions dependent on agriculture.
