On 3 December 2024, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the One Water summit. At the beginning of the visit, Arkadag Berdimuhamedov performed Umrah (small pilgrimage) to the holy Kaaba, visiting Makkah. […]
IFAS and AFD Join Forces to Secure Water Future in Central Asia
The Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS) and the French Development Agency (AFD) announce a partnership to promote sustainable water resources management in Central Asia. As part of the “One Water Summit” initiative, AFD announces that it has authorized a grant of €2 million for EC IFAS, a […]
ADB Launches Major Initiative for Central Asia and South Caucasus to Build Resilience to Melting Glaciers
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched a new regional program, Glaciers to Farms, that will promote sustainable water use and food security in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan amid the catastrophic impacts of accelerated glacial melt due to climate change, ADB said in a press-release on 14 November 2024. Supported by the Green […]
Central Asian Water Experts Meet to Enhance Cooperation on Water, Energy, Environment and Climate Issues
On October 29-30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the UNRCCA organized a “Expert Meeting on Water, Energy, Environment, and Climate Cooperation in Central Asia” as part of its water project. The meeting brought together representatives from relevant ministries, state agencies, and national and international experts, including those from UNESCO, UNECE, UNAMA, and DPPA, to assess the […]
Recommendations for Replicating and Scaling Local Adaptation Practices in Water and Agriculture in Turkmenistan
UNDP Turkmenistan has published a report, “Recommendations for Replicating and Scaling Local Adaptation Practices in Water and Agriculture in Turkmenistan”, now available on the UNDP Turkmenistan website” www.undp.org/turkmenistan/publications This report thoroughly documents local adaptation practices of agricultural communities across different geographic zones in Turkmenistan and provides recommendations for replicating and scaling these practices nationwide. The main focus […]
Two-Day Seminar on Water Diplomacy and Nexus Simulation Held in Ashgabat
On October 17-18, 2024, a two-day seminar was held as part of the USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity (WAVE), organized with the support of the State Committee on Water Management of Turkmenistan and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The main theme of the seminar was water diplomacy and […]
Seminar on the Implementation of Video Lessons and Textbook on Water Resources Management Held in Ashgabat
On October 17, a seminar was held within the framework of the USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity (WAVE), supported by the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan. The seminar focused on the implementation of educational materials on water resources management for universities and young water management specialists. The event presented […]
Briefing for Turkmenistan Media: The Importance of the WEFE Nexus Approach and the Role of Journalists in Covering Environmental and Transboundary Cooperation Issues
On October 15, 2024, a media briefing for representatives of Turkmenistan’s mass media was held, organized by the USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity (WAVE) and the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan. The main topic of the meeting was the Nexus “water-energy-food-ecosystems” (WEFE Nexus) approach of and the role of […]
A Step towards Sustainability: UNICEF’s Water Management Initiative at the UN House in Turkmenistan
In 2024, UNICEF has embarked on an innovative initiative at the premises of the UN House in Turkmenistan to ensure efficient use of water and integrate innovation in sustainable water management practices. UNICEF Country Office is sharing the premises with 10 UN agencies and has quite an extensive surrounding territory, that requires to be irrigated […]
Turkmenistan studies benefits of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health with the launch of a new project
On 3 October UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) concluded a two-day event in Ashgabat for Turkmen government representatives and academia to discuss the benefits and provisions of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. The event kicked […]
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to install automatic water metering systems in the Syr Darya
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to install modern water metering systems at ten locations along the Syr Darya River. The decision was reached during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev. The ministers discussed automating hydraulic posts and digitizing water metering on […]
Kazakhstan hosted second Central Asia–Germany Summit
The second Central Asia–Germany Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday, 17 September 2024. The meeting was attended by: • President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev • Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz • President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov • President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon • President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov • President of Uzbekistan Shavkat […]
Joint Declaration by the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany
The text of the Joint Declaration adopted following the meeting of the heads of Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) with the Federal Chancellor of Germany is published on the official website of the Federal Government of Germany. Here is the full text of the Declaration: On 17 September 2024, President of the […]
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with German businessmen – The promising areas of the Turkmen-German partnership outlined
On 17 September 2024, in Astana, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with representatives of German business circles. During the meeting, the head of state announced several projects in which Turkmenistan is seeking proposals from German partners. Transport In the transportation and communications sectors, Turkmenistan is open to exploring the use of its Caspian Sea […]
Downstream countries in Central Asia undertake mitigation efforts to prevent water scarcity
nCa Report Central Asia is facing a looming water crisis, driven by demographic growth and increasing agricultural demands. According to the World Bank, the region’s population is projected to reach 90 million by 2050, leading to water shortages of up to 25-30%. Simultaneously, agricultural water consumption is expected to rise by 30% within the next […]
Kyrgyzstan explains its position on shared water resources
nCa Report Some of the shared water resources of Central Asia originate or pass through the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. While Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are rich in the hydrocarbon resources, they are dependent on the upper riparian neighbours for their share of water. The question of the shared water resources, after meandering for […]
UNDP Turkmenistan Report: Risks from Climate Change for Water and Agriculture in Turkmenistan
The UNDP Turkmenistan has issued a report ‘Risks from Climate Change for Water and Agriculture in Turkmenistan.’ It was prepared with the aim of creating an evidence base to strengthen adaptation planning in the water sector, while also including a detailed analysis of the vulnerabilities of various groups (women, children, young people, and people with […]
Timing the first emergence and disappearance of global water scarcity
The Nature Communications has published a research report titled ‘Timing the first emergence and disappearance of global water scarcity.’ It has been authored by Junguo Liu, Delong Li, He Chen, Hong Wang, Yoshihide Wada, Matti Kummu, Simon Newland Gosling, Hong Yang, Yadu Pokhrel & Philippe Ciais. Timing the first emergence and disappearance of global water […]
Karakum River: the project of the century
Elena Dolgova Seventy years ago, in July 1954, construction began on one of the 20th century’s greatest engineering feats: the Karakum Canal. The project was initially conceived to support increased cotton cultivation in Turkmenistan. However, it soon evolved into a grand realization of the Turkmen people’s age-old dream: to transform the barren lowlands of the […]
New technologies can pull clean water from air – Central Asia can benefit – Part Three
nCa Report While the Khalifa University and MIT are doing great work in developing the technologies and methods for pulling water from the air, a startup in the Philippines has come up with another approach. For details on this, we turn to an article by Ms. Liza Agoot, which she wrote for PNA (the Philippines […]
New technologies can pull clean water from air – Central Asia can benefit – Part Two
nCa Report In the first part of this report we quoted from an article by Ms. Marwa Hassan in which she mentioned a successful experiment at the MIT to pull water from air. This breakthrough is achieved using a two-stage design that uses zeolite, a widely available adsorbent material, to significantly increase the system’s water […]
New technologies can pull clean water from air – Central Asia can benefit – Part One
nCa Report Technologies are springing up to pull water from air. There are several new methods that have passed the experimental stage successfully. For instance, the Khalifa University of the UAE has developed solar-powered water generators that offer a sustainable solution to the Middle East’s lack of rain. In an article titled ‘Drawing water from […]
Lake Balkhash needs more attention
nCa Commentary Lake Balkhash is located in southeastern Kazakhstan. It is one of the largest lakes in Asia and the 15th largest in the world. The basin drains seven rivers, the primary of which is the Ili, bringing most of the riparian inflow; others, such as the Karatal, bring surface and subsurface flow. The Ili […]
Some practical steps in Tajikistan to save water and do so profitably
The Asia Plus news agency of Tajikistan recently had a conversation with Dr. Yarash Pulatov, a professor at the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences. For more than 25 years, Dr. Pulatov and his team have conducted research on the use of water-saving technologies. As a result, they outlined […]
Central Asian States rally for water and climate solutions: Dushanbe Forum tackles critical water and climate challenges, signalling a united regional approach
Dushanbe, 14 June 2024 – The High-level Central Asian Forum on ‘Water and Climate Change’, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the European Union and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, has become a cornerstone of the 3rd High-level International Conference on the International […]
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Discuss Water Management at Joint Commission Meeting
On 30 April 2024, the fourth meeting of the Uzbek-Turkmen joint intergovernmental commission on water management issues was held in Turkmenabad. The meeting was co-chaired by Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Sh. Ganiev and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for agriculture T. Atakhalliyev, the National News Agency of Uzbekistan UzA […]
Ashgabat hosted Central Asian Conference on Water Issues
On Tuesday, 30 April, a regional conference of Central Asian countries on water management issues was held in Ashgabat, TDH reports. The event is part of the USAID Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity project (WAVE). The forum was attended by representatives of the water sector, a number of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, […]
Groundwater in Central Asia – Part Four
nCa Report Any number of conferences and seminars pale in comparison with the resolve and hard work of one man – Laxman Singh. He was equipped with his ingenuity and a shovel when he started a seemingly impossible mission of making his village self-sufficient in water. In 1977, he dropped out school because of the […]
Groundwater in Central Asia – Part Three
nCa Report IGRAC (International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre) is based in the Netherlands. Since 2014, IGRAC has provided various inputs to the SDGs process, including position papers and articles contributing to the indicators of the targets 6.3.2 (water quality), 6.4.2 (water stress), 6.5.2 (transboundary waters) and 6.6.1 (ecosystems). In 2018, the WWAP (World Water Assessment […]
Groundwater in Central Asia – Part one
nCa Report Groundwater is an important – and generally rechargeable – source of water. In Central Asia, where the growing water shortage requires every possible effort to make responsible use of the water resources and ensure their sustainability. The groundwater – literally the water in the ground – is usually not under the spotlight when […]
Young people help to ensure access to sufficient amounts of clean water in Central Asia
Climate change has already irreversibly changed the lives of everyone all around the globe, with children bearing the heaviest burden. Concerned about water shortages, air pollution and increased heat waves, children and young people in Central Asia are taking measures to protect their future. Saving water at school Fifth graders from the city of Shchuchinsk […]
Amudarya canal could harm Afghanistan – region has solutions
nCa Analysis “Do not waste water, even if you are on a running river.” – Hadith of Holy Prophet (PBUH) “A drop of water, a grain of gold.” – Turkmen proverb The Taliban in Afghanistan is building an enormous canal to draw water from the Amudarya. It is their right to consume water from the […]
Amudarya is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six countries
nCa Report Amudarya, the most famous river of Central Asia, is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six, possibly seven countries. Amudarya is usually written as Amudarya River, which is superfluous because ‘darya’ in Amudarya means river. This river has always caught the imagination of the travellers and authors. […]
This Hungarian product could revolutionize agriculture; may save up to 50% on irrigation water
nCa Report Water & Soil is a Hungarian company. It produces a drug called ‘Water Retainer’ that is supposed to help save up to 50% on irrigation water. It is recommended by the FAO. Water Retainer According to the company website, the Water Retainer is an organic soil-conditioning product. Generally, its effects last 3 months, […]
FAO, Supported by GEF, Launches Projects to Transform Central Asian Agriculture
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has greenlighted 48 FAO-led projects worth about $2.9 billion –$294 million in project financing and $2.6 billion in co-financing– that will play a pivotal role in fostering a sustainable agrifood systems transformation to end hunger and conserve the environment. Five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan […]
UAE and Turkmenistan explore prospects for Sustainable Water Solutions cooperation
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkmenistan are actively engaged in a dialogue on developing sustainable water solutions. This collaboration is crucial for both countries, as they face similar challenges in managing water resources in arid regions. Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Chief Managing Director of Sustainable Water Solutions (Abu Dhabi), recently visited Ashgabat. During his visit, Al-Shamsi […]
Kazakhstan Gears Up for Second Phase of Northern Aral Sea Restoration Project
Kazakhstan is preparing to launch the second phase of the project to restore the Northern Aral Sea. Having completed a feasibility study that’s currently under state expertise, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is setting the stage for further collaboration with the World Bank. This renewed partnership builds on significant progress achieved in 2023, […]
Uzbekistan Leads the Way in Central Asia Joining the UN Protocol on Water and Health
Uzbekistan has taken a significant step towards safeguarding its water resources and protecting public health by becoming the first Central Asian nation to join the UN Protocol on Water and Health, UN News reports. This initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to tackling critical water and sanitation challenges amidst a growing population and the harsh realities […]
The EDB proposes ten practical steps to preserve irrigated land potential and support water conservation in Central Asia
In the summer of 2023, Central Asia was faced once again with water shortages and the significant impact these have on agriculture. The sector relies on irrigation, consuming up to 80% of available water, and has a poor track record with regard to the efficient use of water resources. The irrigation infrastructure is over 50 […]
UNDP raises awareness of water specialists on the issues related to the impact of climate change on water resources of Turkmenistan
Within the framework of the project “Developing the National Adaptation Planning Process in Turkmenistan”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, a new series of three-days workshops for water specialists were launched. The aim […]
Turkmenistan’s Hydrological Monuments: A Journey Through Time and Legends
Elena Dolgova Despite its location in the arid zone, Turkmenistan is rich in hydrological natural monuments. Some are the result of the development of the earth’s crust – these are volcanoes, thermal and mineral springs, others are evidence of the abundance of water in the distant past and the accumulation of flood waters for many […]
Artificial Glaciers Offer Hope for Water-Scarce Mountain Communities in Kyrgyzstan
Following the Kyrgyz tradition, Manzura Orolbaeva welcomes guests with homemade bread and a saucer of melted butter. The bread is made from grain grown on their farm and the butter from the livestock they keep. Agriculture is the main source of income and food for a large part of the local population in this mountain […]
Turkmenistan has made significant progress in providing clean water to the population
In recent years, Turkmenistan has made tremendous progress in providing clean water to its population. By 2020, 95% of the country’s population had access to safe drinking water. The gap in access to safe drinking water has also narrowed across the country, according to the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper. Provision of drinking water to the population […]
FAO will launch the first water use project in Turkmenistan
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will launch the first technical assistance project in the water sector in Turkmenistan. According to the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan”, a project presentation was held in Ashgabat recently, with the participation of FAO experts in land and water management – Carolina Starr, Ivetta Zenina and Viktor […]
UNDP enhances the capacity of decision-makers in Turkmenistan on water resources planning under changing climate
Ashgabat, 13 June 2023: Within the framework of the project “Development of the National Adaptation Planning Process in Turkmenistan” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, a series of workshops on climate […]
На Водной конференции ООН были обозначены основные позиции Туркменистана по вопросам сохранения и рационального использования водных ресурсов
22-24 марта 2023 года в штаб-квартире ООН в г.Нью-Йорке состоялась Конференция ООН по среднесрочному всеобъемлющему обзору целей Международного десятилетия действий «Вода для устойчивого развития, 2018-2028 годы». В работе Конференции приняли участие 7 глав государств и правительств, вице-президенты, вице-премьеры и более 70 министров, ответственных за реализацию политики в области водных ресурсов. В рамках Конференции было организовано […]
The priority positions of Turkmenistan on water issues were stated at the UN Water Conference 2023
On March 22-24 the United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, was held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Conference was attended by 7 heads of state and government, vice presidents, deputy prime ministers and […]
New agenda sets sail with bold action as UN Water Conference closes
24 March 2023 SDGs The UN 2023 Water Conference closed on Friday with the adoption of the Water Action Agenda, a “milestone” action plan containing almost […]
UN World Water Development Report 2023
Partnerships and cooperation for water Safeguarding water, food and energy security through sustainable water management, providing water supply and sanitation services to all, supporting human health and livelihoods, mitigating the impacts of climate change and extreme events, and sustaining and restoring ecosystems and the valuable services they provide, are all pieces of a great and […]
European Union – Central Asia High-Level Conference: joining efforts for climate action and green transition
24.02.2023 Rome, Italy – More than 100 delegates gathered in Rome on 23-24 February 2023 for the 7th European Union – Central Asia High-Level Conference on Environment and Water Cooperation (Conference). Ministers, deputy ministers, high-level diplomats of the countries of Central Asia (CA), the European Union (EU), the EU Member States, representatives of international financial […]