In Fergana, leading experts and specialists convened to address the pressing challenges and future prospects of transboundary water management in Central and South Asia. Organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the seminar provided a crucial platform for exchanging insights and fostering cooperation among regional and international stakeholders.
Water resources are pivotal for ensuring food and energy security across Central and South Asia, making effective transboundary water management a priority in the face of climate change and population growth. The seminar focused on sharing experiences and strategies for managing water resources across national borders, with a particular emphasis on the Syr Darya river sub-basins and the vulnerable Fergana Valley.
"Participants greatly benefited from this experience, gaining a broader perspective on transboundary water management. Today's discussions have set the stage for future dialogues and ongoing learning initiatives in the water sector," Matthew McCartney, leader of the IWMI research group, emphasized the importance of the seminar.
"The organization of this seminar is timely, underscoring the need for joint solutions to water management challenges in transboundary regions," Gulnaz Hamdamova from Uzbekistan Hydromet remarked.
Experts from South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal contributed best practices in water management, focusing on enhancing water security through improved infrastructure and regional cooperation. Diluka Piyasena, Regional Coordinator at Global Water Partnership South Asia, highlighted the gendered impacts of water management, stressing the need for inclusive policies that empower women in the sector.
UNDP's regional project "Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia" aims to bolster climate-resilient development in the Fergana Valley, spanning Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Mirzali Asatov, Head of Water Resource Management for the Karadarya, Syrdarya, and Amudarya rivers, emphasized the seminar's role in facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, including state representatives, academics, practitioners, women's organizations, and NGOs.
Co-organized by UNDP and IWMI, the event concluded with a commitment to continue supporting regional dialogue and cooperation in managing transboundary climate risks and enhancing community resilience to climate change impacts at the local level.
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