LocationsBuilding resilience in Tajikistan: Mainstreaming climate risk assessment to support adaptation
June 12, 2023
5 June 2023 - In cooperation with the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and offices here in Tajikistan, UNDP in Tajikistan co-convened a side event “Building resilience in Tajikistan: Mainstreaming climate risk assessment to support adaptation”. The event took place on the sidelines of the International Conference dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), held on 5-7 June 2023 in Dushanbe according to the “Plan on organizing and holding activities dedicated to the 30th anniversary of IFAS” approved by the President of IFAS, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon.
Other co-conveners of the side event were the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Agency of Hydrometeorology of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Aga Khan Foundation and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The side event shared insights on the approach to mainstream climate change risk assessment to inform climate-oriented investments predicated on robust evidence on current and future climate risks. It emphasized the integrated approach to developing climate resilience focused and stakeholder-centric investment projects for the water sector. It also highlighted the process and steps to identify actionable, scalable, and locally relevant interventions through evidence-based and participatory stakeholder engagements.
Ms. Elisa Calcaterra, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative stated that Tajikistan faces land management challenges due to a region-wide increase in land degradation related to animal husbandry, irrigated agriculture and salinization, soil erosion, rangeland degradation, encroachment of agriculture into marginal lands, vulnerability to climate change, and high population in rural areas. Therefore, the nature and impacts of climate change intersect across different sectors and demographic levels and require interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches to programming and action, and to create synergies between different existing policies and programs.
Mr. Daler Abdurazzoqzoda, Head of the Department of Energy Policy and Water Resources of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan acknowledged that water is the most important driver for the development of Tajikistan. 95% of the country’s electricity is produced in Hydro Electric Power Stations, 50% of rural population is employed in agriculture sector and therefore the main impacts of climate change are felt on water, hydro energy, and transport sectors. To mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to climate change, Tajikistan adopted Water Sector Reform for enhancing water regulation, institutional development, establishment of basin management system and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure.
All panelists and participants came to the conclusion that climate change impacts are already being felt and especially the gap between water demand and reliable supply in Aral Sea Basin is increasing due to climate change. In cooperation with development partners and regional actors, Government of the Republic of Tajikistan must work ambitiously to address climate adaptation needs at the national and community level to maximize potential gains from climate change interventions and accelerate national determined contributions (NDCs) achievements while taking a broader perspective on how those interventions can impact transboundary resources.
For more information, please contact: Ms. Muhiba Rabejonova, Project Manager, UNDP Tajikistan, muhiba.rabejonova@undp.org
