The new Head of the Central and North Asia Section at the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Thierry Umbehr, and Regional Water and Climate Change Advisor of Switzerland in Central Asia, Lisa Gampp, made a working visit to the Reginal Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Almaty on 15 April.
The CAREC Executive Director Zafar Makhmudov briefly presented CAREC’s contribution to addressing climate change in Central Asia in cooperation with national and international partners, civil society, academia and youth.
“Central Asia, a region bound not just by geography but by the vital lifelines of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. At the heart of our discussion is the role of CAREC and its collaboration with other regional organizations in harnessing these waters for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development, as envisioned by the Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 initiative,” said Zafar Makhmudov when opening the meeting.
Zafar Makhmudov highlighted regional cooperation value in Central Asia. It is where regional platforms like IFAS and CAREC liaise, and new ones are created: Green Central Asia University, CA SDG Centre, Climate Change and Innovations Technology Centre, etc.
Zafar Makhmudov also noted that CAREC strives to create a synergy in the water sector by uniting the strengths of organizations such as the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination, the Central Asian International Environmental Forum, and numerous bilateral and multilateral entities.
CAREC does extensive work to strengthen water diplomacy in Central Asia. It also develops showcasing projects as a sample of innovative water projects to highlight the tangible benefits of transboundary cooperation. In this aspect, Nexus demonstration projects are interesting: tackling the sedimentation issue at Tuyamuyun Hydro Complex (Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan), improving energy efficiency at pumping stations in the Sughd region (Tajikistan), etc.
The support of young water specialists is no less important since they will continue the work started in the region by the CAREC jointly with other regional platforms.
The Head of the Central and North Asia Section at the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), Thierry Umbehr, noted that the ongoing activities are crucial for the region, especially in terms of a constructive solution to transboundary water issues.
