A Regional Workshop was recently held in Tashkent as part of Switzerland’s Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative aimed at fostering cooperation among Central Asian countries in the water sector, according to the Swiss Embassy in Uzbekistan.
The event brought together delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, experts, and government partners.
The workshop focused on participatory planning with local, national and regional stakeholders for the next five years of the initiative, which will be launched in May 2025. Participants addressed the issues of water diplomacy for strengthening regional water cooperation, prioritizing water quality, climate adaptation, ecosystem stability, digitalization, data management, and inclusive engagement of youth and women.
The workshop was organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the implementing consortium.
Since 2017, Central Asia is one of three regions in the world where Blue Peace is active and has contributed to water diplomacy, the development of regional cooperation, and capacity building for a new generation of water resource professionals. As an example, the joint hydropost between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan illustrates the commitment to enhancing the monitoring and management of shared water resources and promoting sustainable water use in the region.
According to Andrin Fink, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tashkent: “Cooperation in water resource management is crucial for sustainable development in Central Asia. The Blue Peace Central Asia initiative fosters dialogue, promotes joint solutions, and strengthens water governance across the region. Switzerland is proud to support this initiative and believes that it will continue to bring tangible benefits to the countries and communities in Central Asia.” Building on its extensive experience over the past eight years, BPCA will continue to promote water cooperation in Central Asia, creating a platform for constructive dialogue and innovative solutions.
