Central Asia launches US$30 mln water-land program deal

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have agreed to launch a regional program titled Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) with a total budget of US$30 million. The initiative will be formally presented during the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, scheduled to take place in Samarkand from 30 May to 6 June.

The program is being implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), according to Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The main focus of the initiative is the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins, which provide water resources for around 80% of the region’s population of more than 84 million people. Their condition has a direct impact on food security and the economic stability of Central Asian countries.

The CAWLN program aims to introduce integrated water and land resource management across the region. Priorities include restoring degraded lands, combating desertification, preserving forest ecosystems and biodiversity, and adapting to climate change impacts.

The initiative is based on a “nexus approach,” which seeks to align policies on water use, agriculture and ecosystem protection, taking into account their interdependence.

Pilot projects will be implemented under the program, including agroforestry development and sustainable land management practices in the Aral Sea region. Specialized platforms for knowledge and experience sharing are also planned.

Officials expect the program to contribute to the restoration of degraded landscapes, improve water use efficiency, and strengthen food security across Central Asia.