Key achievements of BPCA 1.0 (2018-2024)
Diplomatic or Political Pillar: Supporting dialogue between riparian states on integrated management in major river basins
- Dialogue platform for institutional interaction – organization of technical meetings and sessions at regional venues (Astana Economic Forum, CACCC, etc.).
- From regional to global – participation of Central Asian delegations in key international water summits, conferences, and forums (WWW, Budapest Water Forum, UN Water).
- Strengthening the capacity of regional institutions – study tours of Central Asian delegations to OMVS (Senegal) to explore benefit-sharing in water resource management.
Support for the activities of the Regional Working Group on Water Quality (RWG-WQ), which brings together the relevant ministries of five countries:
- Technical dialogue among Central Asian experts and development of coordinated recommendations.
- Development of unified approaches to monitoring and classification of water bodies.
- Joint research, exchange visits, and training.
Support for the work of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Water Quality in the Syr Darya River Basin (established in 2018). Since 2019, the Blue Peace CA initiative has helped organize six meetings, field visits, and harmonize monitoring methodologies:
- The composition, Statute, and annual Work Plan of the Commission have been agreed upon.
- Exchange visits to the laboratories of Kazhydromet and Uzhydromet; unification of analysis methods.
- Regular joint sampling and exchange of results.
Operational Pillar: Strengthening trust between riparian states through data exchange and the provision of resources and knowledge for the implementation of concrete solutions
Automation of transboundary hydrological stations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan:
- Restoration of key hydrological stations and creation of an operational water management system.
- Automation of water accounting and ensuring transparency in data exchange.
- Demonstration of strong political will and interstate cooperation.
- Replication of the experience across the region.
Improved climatic services and forecast:
- CICADA (Cryospheric Climate Services for Improved Adaptation) and Cromo-Adapt – University of Fribourg (Switzerland). Monitoring of glaciers and data exchange between Central Asian countries for the development of river flow forecasting models.
- SAPPHIRE (Smart & Precise Prognostic Hydrology for Innovative Risk Management and Resource Use Efficiency in Central Asia), Hydrosolutions (Switzerland). Integration of digital technologies into the work of hydrometeorological services in Central Asia.
Academic and Youth Pillar: Youth as agents of change: expanding opportunities and strengthening education to prepare the next generation of professionals.
CoP4WASH: science diplomacy:
- 5 university laboratories for drinking and wastewater quality.
- Updated recommendations on water hardness and salinity in Tajikistan.
- Research for the development of innovative decentralized wastewater treatment facilities.
- Integration of the WASH course into educational programs.
- Practice-oriented education.
The CoP4WASH partnership is based on close collaboration between universities, NGOs, and water utilities, aimed at conducting joint research, implementing educational programs, and building capacity with active youth engagement.
Provision of scholarships for the Master's program in "Integrated Water Resources Management" as part of a partnership with the Kazakh-German University, aimed at training a new generation of specialists with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills in sustainable water resources management in Central Asia.
Support for the Central Asian Network of Academic Societies (NAS) is aimed at strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange among universities and research institutions in the region that focus on sustainable management of water, land, and energy resources, as well as environmental protection in the context of climate change.
