As part of the 4th International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018–2028, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through its Green Central Asia (GCA) regional programme and the EU4SustainableCentralAsia project, supported the organization of the side event “Women Parliamentarians of Central Asia: Leadership in Advancing the Water Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The event served as an important platform for discussing the role of women leaders in shaping and promoting effective water policies, strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, and fostering sustainable water resources management across the region. Attention was given to issues of gender-responsive leadership, the development of inclusive decision-making mechanisms, and enhancing the contribution of women to the regional water agenda in the face of climate change and growing water security challenges.
The event was organized in cooperation with the programme’s national partner, the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. The side event brought together representatives of the parliaments of Central Asian countries, international organizations, the scientific community, and expert circles to exchange experiences and develop joint approaches toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to water resources, gender equality, and climate resilience. The dialogue reaffirmed the importance of increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes and further strengthening regional cooperation as a key factor in ensuring sustainable and equitable water resources management in Central Asia.