ADB and GCF Launch Glacier-to-Farms Adaptation Program

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved US$250 million in funding for the flagship adaptation initiative “From Glaciers to Farms,” implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program aims to establish resilient water supply and agricultural systems for vulnerable communities in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan that depend on glacier-fed rivers.

GCF funds, primarily in the form of grants, will be combined with US$3.25 billion provided by ADB to implement a series of projects identified by participating countries over the next decade. These projects focus on investments in efficient irrigation systems, construction of reservoirs, and watershed management, enhancing agricultural productivity amid increasingly frequent droughts and floods caused by accelerated glacier melting.

“Rapid glacier retreat is one of the most serious development challenges facing our region,” said Yasmin Siddiqui, ADB Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development. “Practical, scalable, and evidence-based solutions are essential to help communities adapt. With GCF support, the ‘From Glaciers to Farms’ program will move beyond isolated initiatives to systemic, long-term resilience that protects lives and livelihoods—today and in the future.”

The program covers nine developing ADB member countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—all reliant on glacier- and snow-fed rivers for water supply, agriculture, and hydropower. Accelerated glacier melt threatens ecosystems and regional economies, where one in four jobs is linked to agriculture.

The initiative focuses on four glacier-fed river basins: the Naryn and Panj in Central Asia, the Kura in the South Caucasus, and the Swat in Pakistan, collectively covering approximately 27 million hectares. About 13 million people—farmers and residents of vulnerable mountainous areas—will directly benefit. The program includes climate and glacier assessments to inform national development plans and investment strategies, alongside strengthening monitoring and early warning systems to protect populations from natural hazards such as glacial lake outbursts and prolonged droughts.

Beyond agricultural infrastructure, the program supports social initiatives, including adaptive social protection and healthcare systems for communities affected by water scarcity and extreme heat. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing local banks’ capacity to finance agribusiness, including women-led projects.

“The ‘From Glaciers to Farms’ program represents a large-scale and innovative initiative that will strengthen Central and West Asian countries’ capacity for climate adaptation planning and joint action,” said Thomas Erikson, GCF Director for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. “It sets a new standard for coordination, data sharing, and financial readiness, ensuring long-term resilience of the region’s water and food systems.”

The GCF, the world’s largest climate fund, approved concessional financing for the program at its 43rd board meeting on October 29. In 2024, GCF-supported glacier risk assessments provided the scientific and technical foundation for this program.

The Asian Development Bank, a leading regional multilateral bank, supports inclusive, sustainable, and stable growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 1966, ADB comprises 69 member countries, 50 of which are in the region, and collaborates with partners to develop high-quality infrastructure, innovative financial solutions, and environmental protection initiatives.