On 7–8 September 2026, the Regional Youth Water Hackathon “From Data and Technology to Action: Regional Youth Water Hackathon on Water Management” was held in Samarkand, organized by the OSCE together with its partners.
The hackathon served as a platform for bringing together young specialists and experts in the water and agricultural sectors from Central Asian countries. The focus was on how modern technologies, digital solutions, precision tools, and automation can contribute to more efficient and sustainable water resource management in the face of water scarcity.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Antti Karttunen, Head of the OSCE Mission to Uzbekistan; Simone Giger, Ambassador of Switzerland to Uzbekistan; Guido De Sanctis, Ambassador of Italy to Uzbekistan; Daniela Ropolo, Head of Sustainable Development Initiatives at CNH; and Malika Ikramova, Laboratory Director at the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems. The welcoming remarks emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, the engagement of youth and women, and the use of innovative approaches to addressing pressing water challenges in Central Asia.
On the first day of the hackathon, two thematic panel discussions took place.
The first panel, “What Technologies Are Needed to Address Water Challenges in Central Asia?”, focused on modern technologies, digital tools, and their potential applications for improving water resource management. Representatives from international organizations, research and educational institutions, the private sector, and the agricultural and water management communities delivered presentations, shared their professional experiences, and presented their views on the potential for applying modern technologies in the water sector. Representing organizations included FAO, CNH, the School of Water Professionals, the Scientific and Information Center of the International Water Commission (NICWC), and others.
The second panel, “Stakeholder Participation in Water Cooperation: The Key Role of Youth and Women,” focused on youth and women’s engagement in water management and regional cooperation. Representatives from the OSCE, Blue Peace Central Asia, a specialist from the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, a representative of the WFF youth branch in Uzbekistan, a representative of the regional network Women in Water Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and the Swedish Aral Sea Society Summer School shared their views, experiences, and practical approaches to increasing youth and women’s participation in the water sector.
Gulnoza Khamdamova, Chief Specialist at the Scientific and Information Center for Water Coordination (NICWC), participated in the event. As part of the first panel discussion, she delivered a presentation titled “From Scientific Knowledge to Action: Science in the Service of Water Policy in Central Asia.” In her presentation, she emphasized the important role of science as a link between knowledge and practical decisions in water resource management. It was noted that scientific research, monitoring, and analytics enable the development of well-founded recommendations for decision-makers and facilitate the translation of scientific findings into practical action.
One of the interesting practical examples presented to the participants was the ICE STUPA project. Aziz Nurbekov, FOLUR project coordinator at the FAO Office in Uzbekistan, presented the creation of artificial glaciers as an innovative approach to water conservation. The project’s implementation in Uzbekistan was presented, beginning with a pilot project in the village of Sarchashma in the Kashkadarya region, followed by projects in the Tashkent region and the Bakhmal district of the Jizzakh region.
A key part of the first day was a field trip to a cotton field with a farmer from the Akdarya district of the Samarkand region. Participants learned about cotton irrigation methods, including drip irrigation. The farmer shared his practical experience with this method, the benefits of more efficient water use, and the impact of modern irrigation methods on increasing yields. This hands-on example allowed participants to see the application of water-saving technologies directly in agricultural production.
The second day of the hackathon was entirely devoted to practical teamwork on specific water issues in the region. Participants were divided into four working groups based on the event’s main thematic areas:
- use of remote sensing data to solve water problems;
- water quality;
- Water-Energy-Food Nexus;
- effective water management and stakeholder participation (good water governance).
Each group received a specific assignment in a relevant area and, over the course of the day, collaborated on developing a practical solution to a pressing water issue. Participants analyzed the problem, identified possible solutions, stakeholders, necessary technologies, and potential practical applications.
Following the work, all four groups developed specific pilot projects, which were presented in the form of final presentations. This allowed the participants to move from discussing existing problems and the potential of modern technologies to developing specific solutions aimed at practical application and further development in the region.
The event concluded with presentations of the projects prepared by the groups and the presentation of certificates of participation in the Regional Youth Water Hackathon to all participants.
The hackathon served as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between representatives of academia, practice, youth, and professional communities. Of particular importance was the combination of expert discussions, practical exposure to modern irrigation methods, and teamwork on specific solutions aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of water resource management in Central Asia.