Water shortage in Central Asia could reach 30% by 2050

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov noted that the region is facing growing environmental problems amid climate change.

Speaking at an international environmental conference in Altai, Japarov said Kyrgyzstan's ecosystem is under serious pressure: the volume of glaciers has decreased by 16% over the past decade. This has led to an increase in natural disasters such as mudslides, landslides, and floods, as well as disruptions in the water and energy balance.

According to him, by 2050, water scarcity in Central Asia could reach 20-30%. This will pose a serious threat to agriculture, energy, and the sustainable livelihoods of millions of people in the region.