A new regional initiative has been launched in Central Asia to improve water and land management across five countries, aiming to enhance environmental resilience and support the livelihoods of around 60 million people. The programme, known as the Central Asia Water-Land Nexus (CAWLN), was officially introduced during the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Samarkand.
The initiative brings together Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan under a coordinated framework supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and focuses on addressing growing environmental pressures such as water scarcity, land degradation, and climate change impacts across shared ecosystems.
The programme targets the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins, which serve as critical water sources for the region and support the majority of its population. These ecosystems face increasing strain from rising demand for natural resources and long-term environmental degradation, with nearly half of the region’s land affected and significant annual economic losses reported.
Officials from participating countries emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation to manage shared water and land resources more effectively. The programme promotes a “nexus” approach that integrates land, water, biodiversity, and climate considerations into a unified management strategy aimed at improving sustainability and resilience.
Key components of the initiative include improved environmental monitoring systems, expanded use of satellite-based data for decision-making, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. The programme also places emphasis on strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and supporting gender-responsive and community-based approaches.
International partners, including representatives from the Global Environment Facility and the Food and Agriculture Organization, highlighted the importance of coordinated action in addressing transboundary environmental challenges. They noted that collaborative management of shared resources is essential for achieving long-term ecological stability and supporting rural economies.
The launch of the CAWLN implementation phase marks a significant step toward advancing integrated water and land management in Central Asia, with the goal of improving environmental outcomes while strengthening food security and climate resilience across the region.
