GGGI Discussed Progress of Central Asia Climate Resilience Project in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held the second meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) in Tashkent to review the progress of the regional project “Strengthening Climate Resilience through the Implementation of Innovative Intelligent Flood and Drought Management Technologies in Central Asia (2024–2027).”

The project aims to enhance local climate resilience to floods and droughts by implementing spillway gates, pumping systems, and intelligent early warning technologies. It also seeks to improve community preparedness for natural disasters through comprehensive risk, vulnerability, and policy gap assessments. Additionally, the project will support the development of investment-ready proposals and implement capacity-building activities to raise awareness and ensure the long-term sustainability of local communities.

Participants included representatives from the Ministries of Economy and Commerce, Emergency Situations, Natural Resources and Technical Supervision, Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as Kyrgyz experts on disaster risk management. From Uzbekistan, participants included representatives of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, the Hydrometeorological Service Agency under the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources.

During the PSC meeting, key project milestones were reviewed, strategic recommendations provided, and monitoring of plans, budgets, and implementation schedules was conducted to ensure alignment with project goals. Building on the first PSC meeting in 2024, held in Bishkek, the second meeting in Tashkent aimed to increase awareness among Uzbek partners and stakeholders and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The meeting opened with a welcoming speech by GGGI Regional Director for Asia, Dr. Malle Fofana, followed by introductory statements from key national partners from the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. They emphasized their shared commitment to strengthening climate resilience in vulnerable communities in the Fergana Valley region.

“Implementing innovative water management methods is critical for effective flood prevention in the region,” noted Dr. Malle Fofana, GGGI Regional Director for Asia. “This project plays a significant role in fostering constructive cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan under climate change, contributing to the improvement of local communities’ livelihoods.”

Next, Ms. He Ryun So, Country Program Manager for GGGI in the Kyrgyz Republic, presented an updated project overview, reporting on progress. Over the past year and a half, the project has entered a key implementation phase: technical, institutional, and field activities are actively advancing in both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The team has closely collaborated with government agencies and local communities, conducting technical site surveys, analyzing gaps in local disaster management policies, and assessing vulnerabilities to floods, droughts, and mudflows. These measures, implemented under CRGG (Climate-Resilient Green Growth) and CRVA (Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment), also include gender and social inclusion aspects to ensure equitable distribution of benefits from climate resilience planning. Parallel preparations are underway for installing intelligent spillway gates and advanced CCTV-based early warning systems, laying the groundwork for improved climate resilience and emergency preparedness in target regions.

The Korean Engineering Consulting Corporation (KECC), the project’s main implementation partner, presented the results of site selection in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Specialists conducted comprehensive engineering assessments of three sites — two in Kyrgyzstan and one in Uzbekistan — taking into account hydrological, technical, socio-economic, environmental, and institutional factors. KECC also highlighted key challenges and outlined plans for building intelligent early warning systems, as well as spillway gates and pumping stations.

“The impacts of climate change are already being felt in Kyrgyzstan, and the frequency of natural disasters is increasing. Through this project, we aim to jointly develop innovative solutions to address these challenges and strengthen our resilience,” emphasized Asan Sulaimanov, Head of the Department for Population and Territory Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“In our project, we have set ambitious but crucial targets — including the protection of 1,500 hectares of natural capital and reaching 25,000 beneficiaries across both countries,” added Ms. He Ryun So, GGGI Country Program Manager in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The second PSC meeting served as a platform for strategic oversight, approval of key project milestones, and proposed adjustments. It also brought together key stakeholders from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to jointly define future priorities and approve the project budget and implementation schedule. GGGI will incorporate the findings and decisions from the meeting to guide subsequent phases of project implementation.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was established in 2012 as an international intergovernmental organization based on a multilateral treaty. GGGI supports member states in transitioning to a green growth model that simultaneously promotes poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic development.