Sustainable and equitable water management is essential to sustaining healthy livelihoods and enhancing food security as well as strengthening the resilience of societies to the effects of climate change. The availability of water resources in Central Asia plays a vital role in the well-being and economic growth of around 75 million people. As the region continues to grow economically, addressing water resource challenges with effective and informed governance will support sustainable development and enhance the prosperity of its people.
In response to the pressing need for a transboundary approach to managing the regions water resources, the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative was launched by Switzerland in 2017. The initiative aims to support countries of the region (Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in establishing a system of shared benefits for water resource allocation (sanitation and drinking water, irrigation, energy, and environment) that accommodates the interests of upstream and downstream countries. In Tajikistan and Uzbekistan efforts are made to rehabilitate the joint transboundary hydropost and to establish the operational management framework. For Switzerland, the inauguration of the hydropost marks an important step forward in regional collaboration. It confirms the political will for transboundary cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Additionally, the establishment of a BPCA Dialogue Platform facilitates dialogue among riparian States to jointly and systematically manage the shared large river basins.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy (UNRCCA) also promotes dialogue among Central Asian States on transboundary water management. UNRCCA provides a space for dialogue between the governments of those countries in order to find common solutions. It further keeps regular contacts with international organizations operating in the region to stimulate their peace efforts and cooperates with other UN agencies working in the field of sustainable development and conflict prevention. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNRCCA regularly briefs the Security Council on UNRCCA’s work. Such a meeting took place on 23 July, where Switzerland shared its experiences in the region, expressed its support for the Centre’s mandate and encouraged further activities, particularly in the area of water management.
Switzerland supports efforts on water management in Central Asia as well as initiatives in the area of good governance and sustainable economic development in Kirgizstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan encouraging measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and supporting regional cooperation. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis also visited Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from 1 to 4 July 2024 aiming to bridge economy and cooperation in Central Asia.
