LocationsKey national authorities completed the 2nd stage of training on integrating climate risks into water policies and basin management plans in Kyrgyzstan
October 20, 2022
Key national authorities trained on integrating climate risk into water policy and basin management plans at the 2nd National Training Session on the integration of climate considerations to water policy and basin management plans in Kyrgyzstan, organized by UNDP on 17-18th October in Osh, as a part of the regional project Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan and funded by the European Union. The training session was attended by representatives of key national and local authorities in the field of water resources and climate risk management.
Central Asian countries are experiencing climate change more noticeably: temperature fluctuations, land degradation and increased intensity of droughts, worse water scarcity, intensified erosion, reductions in Tien Shan glaciers and snow cover, and damage to water quality and ecosystems. Ferghana Valley is home to nearly 30% of Central Asia's population, designated the highest climate change area among transboundary climate change. The rate of warming temperatures in Central Asia is, on average higher than the global average hotspots in Central Asia. The region is warming faster than the global average.
"The growing trend of emergencies is related to climate change, as well as problems in the water sector. The effects of the damage become almost irreversible and, as a result, can negatively impact a country's efforts to improve living standards. Therefore, we need to apply preventive measures in the field of water resources management and climate risks. The time has come to consolidate the efforts of all interested parties in this matter," said Daurbek Sakiyev, Director of the Department for Monitoring and Forecasting Emergency Situations under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia project is implemented to raise awareness of the risks of climate instability among stakeholders at the local, national and regional levels, promoting risk-based policy development and resource management and supporting practical measures to reduce risks and their warnings.
"The Ferghana Valley region is a particularly significant region for UNDP assistance due to its socio-economic and demographic characteristics and vulnerability, and we focus our assistance in the three southern regions of our country to strengthen the role of women and youth, expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs, develop creative economy, conservation of natural objects, construction of protective infrastructure, etc. But to maintain and increase the achievements, resilience is needed in this region, including climate resilience," said Lira Zholdubaeva, Head of the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Cluster, UNDP in Kyrgyzstan.
"Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, which is why UNDP pays special attention to promoting and supporting intersectoral collaboration at the regional, national, and local levels. An integrated approach will allow us to save our valuable but limited resources for sustainable development," said Isomiddin Akramov, Regional Manager of the Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia project, UNDP in Uzbekistan.
Earlier this year, the 1st National Training on the integration of climate considerations to water policy and basin management plans was held in Kyrgyzstan on July 12-13 in the Issyk-Kul region. Based on its results, the participants identified three main risks that should be considered when considering the impact of climate change on water resources in the Kyrgyz part of the Ferghana Valley: possible risks of conflicts due to irrigated water, risks of natural disasters and landscape degradation. Taking into account the guidelines and recommendations of the 1st National Training, the project team combined the data and conducted a preliminary analysis of the problems on the three proposed topics.
"The purpose of the 2nd National Training was to work out the methodology in more detail based on the results of the research conducted by the experts. As a result, the participants of this training improved their knowledge in the field of water resources management and climate risks, and through the proposed team and individual exercises, discussed and proposed key parameters for the selection of river basins for the subsequent work of the project on the integration of preventive actions, response measures and adaptation to increase resilience to climate change in the Kyrgyz part of the Ferghana Valley," said National Project Coordinator/Advisor Gulzhan Makhmudova.
"This learning session will help each of us understand the realities of what is happening in water management, the impact of climate change, and the steps we need to take to balance the development of our southern regions. It is also symbolic that the seven millionth Kyrgyzstani was born in Batken as a sign that everything will be fine with us, both in the near and in the far future, despite numerous challenges," said Talaibek Makeev, serving Economic Affairs Officer in UNECE.
It should be noted that similar events will be held in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, after which one consolidated regional event will be organized, where countries can discuss further steps to reduce the existing risks of climate change's impact on the Ferghana Valley and propose specific measures to prevent them.
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