Central Asia’s glaciers are vanishing. That is a problem for the economy.

Climate stress, shrinking glaciers, and weak governance are pushing Central Asia toward a new era of systemic vulnerability. The region’s water crisis is no longer just an environmental concern—it is becoming a serious economic risk. As glaciers melt faster than they can recover, rivers that supply drinking water and irrigation are drying up. This threatens agriculture, energy production, and regional trade. Meanwhile, fragmented governance between countries makes it difficult to manage shared water resources effectively. Without coordinated action, the economic fallout could deepen, affecting millions of people who depend on stable water supplies for their livelihoods.