Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - On June 25, 2021, the Gapar Aitiev Museum of Fine Arts hosted the opening of the photographic exhibition "Dance of Melting Glaciers", organized for the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP-26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The photo exhibition, which will be open until July 9, features photographs of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan, as well as photographs of the Sustainable Mountain Arts (SMART) project, Glacier Agony. The purpose of the exhibition is to draw public attention to the careful attitude to water and the problem of reducing the area of ​​glaciers associated with climate change.

The images provided by the Central Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences (CAIAG) show the glaciers of Kyrgyzstan and their condition.

Other images by French photographer Laurence Piaget show the tarpaulin-covered Rhone glacier, signaling the need to slow its melting. These images were previously presented at the exhibition as part of the Sustainable Mountain Arts (SMART) project "Agony of the Glacier" and provided by UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions (FDDM).

The photo exhibition is part of the Political Action for Climate Security in Central Asia project, funded by the UK Government and implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The project promotes regional cooperation on climate policy and effective climate diplomacy, positioning countries of their climate agenda based on science-based commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also assist in improving the negotiation skills of national delegations to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Glasgow during November 1-12, 2021.

The project is being implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by UNDP offices in close cooperation with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Within the framework of the project, the Governments of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will be provided with consulting assistance in preparing for the upcoming 26th Conference of the Parties (COP-26) to the UNFCCC and will lay the foundation for further successful implementation of the Paris Agreement.

For all questions and any other information regarding the photo exhibition, please contact Pakiza Shirinova at pakiza.shirinova@undp.org