Five States Unite for the Future of Amu Darya and Syr Darya
Five Central Asian nations — Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan — are launching a new large-scale program aimed at ensuring the ecological sustainability of the region. The total value of this regional project, titled "Central Asia Water and Land Nexus" (CAWLN), amounts to 30 million USD.
The official presentation of the program will take place during the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to be held in Samarkand from May 30 to June 6 this year. This significant initiative is being implemented with the direct support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The primary goal of the project is to protect the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins, which serve as the lifeblood for 80 percent of the region's population of over 84 million. These rivers are considered key arteries that determine not only access to drinking water but also the food security and economic development of the region.
The program is not limited to water conservation alone but envisions comprehensive actions based on the "nexus approach." This method ensures the interconnection of the following areas:
- Economical and efficient water consumption.
- Increasing the productivity of agricultural lands and combating desertification.
- Expanding forest zones and preserving natural ecosystems.
- Increasing resilience to the effects of global warming.
As part of the project, special pilot projects are expected to improve the ecology of the Aral Sea. Specifically, agroforestry methods (combining agriculture and forestry) will be introduced, and digital platforms will be created for exchanging expertise among regional countries. This initiative is a further testament to the regional states' commitment to solving common environmental issues through unity.
