DUSHANBE, June 5, Asia-Plus -- On occasion of World Environment Day, a conference dedicated to discuss environmental protection and sustainable development issues opened in the building of the ministry of agriculture and environmental protection (MoAEP) in Dushanbe today morning.  

The conference participants include representatives from the government, experts, researchers, ecological NGOs and media.

The source at a MoAEP said that the Dushanbe NGO For Earth is presenting Global Outlook for Ice & Snow released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) at the conference.  

The presentation is organized at the request of UNEP and under support of the Norway’s Environmental Protection Society.

As part of its continuing efforts to raise global awareness about the effects of climate change, UNEP has released Global Outlook for Ice & Snow at the outset of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.  This new analysis focuses on the changes in ice- and snow-covered regions and highlights the consequences of those changes for the global community.

Global Outlook for Ice & Snow provides an up-to-date, concise review of the state of the environment and the trends in ice and snow-covered regions (cryosphere) of the world.  It features case studies, illustrations, graphics and maps and will serve as an educational and reference publication.  With a broad target audience that includes decision-makers at many levels, the report looks at the significance of changes in the cryosphere to human well-being and the implications for policy.

The assessment was written by a team of experts from many disciplines and many countries.   

Global Outlook for Ice & Snow will also be launched in other countries, including Norway, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, etc.