Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The heads of emergency management agencies from five Central Asian countries have approved a regional roadmap to mitigate the impact of transboundary mudflows and floods, along with a concept for strengthening urban resilience to disasters and climate change through 2030.
The documents were adopted at a regional forum of Central Asian emergency agency heads held in Tashkent on 19–20 October. The signing of the forum’s protocol was its main practical outcome, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) reported.
The forum brought together rescuers, meteorologists, government representatives and international experts. Participants discussed joint efforts to protect the region from mudflows, floods and earthquakes, adapt cities and natural landscapes to climate change, and establish common mechanisms for responding to emergencies.
In addition to the roadmap, which includes an investment plan, and the concept with an implementation plan for 2027–2028, the delegations approved proposals to improve the regional mechanism for international responses to large-scale and cross-border emergencies.
Participants also supported an initiative by Tajikistan’s Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defence under the government to organise advanced training courses, exercises and competitions for rescuers from across the region at its national training and methodological centre.
In 2027, the parties propose considering whether to designate the centre as a regional base institution for training personnel for Central Asian emergency management agencies.
At a plenary session on 20 October, GIZ’s Climate Risk Management in Central Asia programme presented the results of its work in Uzbekistan.
Climate risk assessments have been conducted in the basins of the Isfayramsay, Shakhimardan and Zarafshan rivers, and adaptation measures are already being implemented based on the findings.
A total of 700 years’ worth of meteorological, hydrological and agrometeorological data has been digitised for Uzbekistan’s hydrometeorological service, Uzhydromet. In Navoi Region, a drip irrigation system equipped with digital soil moisture sensors and an automated weather station has been introduced across 10 hectares of pilot orchards. Zarafshan National Park is implementing a SMART Patrol system that enables real-time monitoring of endangered species populations.
On 19 October, a regional dialogue on the safe management of transboundary water resources and the mitigation of mudflow and flood risks was held. It was organised by GIZ, the Centre for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction, the World Bank and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia.
Participants discussed progress in developing an online catalogue of transboundary mudflow hazards, as well as a concept and roadmap for a regional hydrological disaster early warning system in pilot river basins. According to the organisers, floods have affected more than 1.1 million people in the region since 1991, causing damage exceeding US$1 billion.
A separate dialogue on urban resilience to disasters and climate change, as well as seismic safety, was also held that day.
Joachim Fritz, head of GIZ’s office in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, noted that as regional ties and economic integration develop, cities will play an increasingly important role as centres of investment, trade and sustainable development.
At the same time, cities face growing pressure from climate change, urbanisation and increasing demands on infrastructure. Strengthening their resilience is therefore important for the long-term development of the entire region.
The Green Cities project, titled “Sustainable and Climate-Oriented Urban Development in Central Asia”, operates in six pilot cities in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
It supports the development of environmental master plans, strengthens municipal capacity and involves residents in urban planning. In Ferghana, a small green public space made from natural materials is planned within a residential neighbourhood to reduce heat and improve air quality.
In Osh, a heating and electricity system powered by solar and geothermal energy will be installed. With the project’s support, Manas, Ferghana, Kokand, Khujand and Isfara have joined the Central Asian Coalition of Sustainable Cities, which expanded during the forum.
The forum was organised by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations with support from GIZ, the United Nations Development Programme, funded by the government of Japan, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Bank’s RESILAND CA+ programme, and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Centre for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction serves as the forum’s secretariat.
