Regional Activities

Implementation period: 2015 – 2020 Participating countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Partners and donors: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), European Union The WISDOM project aimed to improve integrated water resources management in the Aral Sea Basin by developing advanced tools for data collection, analysis, and decision-making. The project focused on building a modern, geospatially-enabled water information system that supports sustainable development and climate adaptation in a region severely affected by water scarcity and environmental degradation. The Aral Sea Basin is characterized by complex hydrological dynamics, transboundary water management challenges, and increasing pressure from agriculture and population growth. The WISDOM project addressed these issues through the use of innovative technologies and capacity-building at institutional and local levels. Results Launch of a comprehensive water information platform accessible to stakeholders and policymakers Increased accuracy and timeliness of water flow forecasts and irrigation planning Improved cooperation between hydrometeorological services and water authorities across the region Enhanced knowledge and technical skills of specialists in GIS and water modeling The WISDOM project contributed to long-term water sustainability in the Aral Sea Basin by promoting data-driven and transparent approaches to managing one of Central Asia’s most valuable and vulnerable resources.

Implementation period: 2006 – 2011 Participating countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Coordinating partners: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), UNDP, IFAD, and national governments Donors and partners: Global Environment Facility (GEF), international development organizations, regional institutions The Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management (CACILM) was launched as a regional response to widespread land degradation and desertification affecting the environment, economy, and livelihoods across Central Asia. The initiative aimed to promote sustainable land management (SLM) at national and regional levels through policy reforms, investments, and knowledge sharing. CACILM was implemented as a 10-year multi-phase program, with the first phase carried out from 2006 to 2011. The initiative laid the foundation for long-term cooperation in combating land degradation and supporting rural development. Outcomes of the initiative: Establishment of national SLM strategies in five countries Launch of dozens of demonstration projects on soil restoration, rangeland rehabilitation, and erosion control Improved policy integration and multi-sectoral coordination on land use Strengthened regional cooperation in addressing land degradation and desertification CACILM served as a pioneering initiative in the region and became a model for integrated, cross-border approaches to sustainable land use. It also provided the groundwork

Established: 1998 Participating countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Coordinators: UNECE and UNESCAP SPECA is a United Nations initiative aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development in Central Asia. The programme serves as a platform for dialogue, joint projects, and knowledge exchange in areas such as trade, digitalization, connectivity, sustainable transport, innovation, statistics, and water-energy cooperation. Key areas of work Water-Energy Nexus and environment Digitalization and innovation Trade facilitation and transport Gender and inclusive economic participation Regional statistics and data systems Impact Improved regional coordination in key economic sectors Enhanced capacity of national institutions Stronger linkages between SPECA countries through regional platforms