The region’s financial losses from soil degradation and deforestation are currently estimated at $6 billion annually. In the face of climate change, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are moving toward joint measures. The program is being implemented with operational support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

A key funding priority is the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins. These waterways provide resources for nearly 80% of the Central Asian population, which totals over 84 million people. The state of the rivers, mountain ecosystems, and adjacent arid plains directly affects the food supply of the macroregional economy.

The initiative is based on a “nexus approach.” Experts are moving away from isolated solutions, synchronizing the management of the agricultural sector, water use, and biodiversity protection. Practical implementation involves deploying unified satellite monitoring systems, updating the regulatory framework for cross-border cooperation, and implementing early warning algorithms for natural disasters