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No. 1 (12) January 2003



WORKSHOP «TRAINING ON INFORMATION SYSTEM OF PROJECT «IWRM-FERGANA»»

The workshop “Training on information system of project IWRM-Fergana” was held on January 8-11, 2003 in ICWC Training Center. This workshop was organized for training of project staff in field of activity “Modeling, GIS, and Database”, in particular on sections “IWRM Database” and “Modeling”.

Following persons greeted workshop participants: SIC ICWC Director Prof. V.A. Dukhovny, SDC manager on water issues J. Gely, regional manager of project “IWRM-Fergana” V.I. Sokolov.

Main issues highlighted on workshop:

  • Development strategy and adaptation of database, which provides accumulation, storage, and analysis of information on project tasks, at level of pilot objects.
  • Database structure and its components at level of “Large irrigation system or canal”, “WUA”, “Private farm”.
  • Creation of thematic covers for components: “Large irrigation system or canal”, “WUA”, “Private farm”.
  • Organization and order of work fulfillment on sections “Modeling”, “GIS”, and “IWRM Database”.
  • Development and adjustment of information system, which provides accumulation, storage, and analysis of information on project tasks, at level of pilot objects, section “Modeling” and information system GIS.
  • Development of water use plan: “Large irrigation system or canal”, “WUA”, “Private farm”.
  • Training on sections “Large irrigation system or canal”, “WUA”, “Private farm”.

ABOUT VISIT OF DIRECTOR OF BRACE CENTER AT McGILL UNIVERSITY PROF. CH. MADRAMOTOO TO TASHKENT

Director of Brace Center at McGill Prof. Ch. Madramotoo visited SIC ICWC on January 7-11, 2003.
During visit ICWC Training Center (TC ICWC) activity was analyzed, and perspective activity was discussed, in particular project "ICWC/McGill – Climate change adaptation“, financed by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Prof. Ch. Madramotoo also presented his report for experts working within “IWRM-Fergana” project.

The visit resulted in signing of memorandum, basic provisions of which are following:

Plan of actions 2003, including:

a) Activity strengthening by conducting TC workshops on topics: conflicts resolution, account, purchases, drainage problems in Central Asia, as well as environmental aspects of water resources.

b) Project implementation on climate change, draught, and water scarcity with using demonstration and pilot plots in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and even Tajikistan (after solving problem of financing on part of Switzerland).

c) TC ICWC division foundation in Urgench under CIDA financing.

d) Signing of multilateral agreement between Dundee University, Brace Center, and ICWC regarding issue of book on water legal base.

e) Joint work on grounding radar technology use for assessment of snow cover depth in mountain rayons of Central Asia.

f) Cooperation with IPTRID on assessment of drainage problems in Central Asia.

g) Broadening of cooperation between McGill Brace Center and ICWC by involving workers and students of McGill University in joint training activity, having expected their long residence in Central Asia (6-8 months a year).

Courses on ecology problems. SIC ICWC has prepared content and description of the course called “Environment protection objects in Central-Asian region” related to water resources ecology. This program has been coordinated with State Committee of Nature and ISDC.

Courses on management by projects and purchases. Brace Center submitted preliminary list of content and schedule of courses on purchases for trainers. SIC ICWC has expressed own point of view of program and business-plan with marketing studies of similar program.

Training on conflict resolution. Preparation program will be revised with account for:

  • There shouldn’t be any coincidences between given course and those, which was conducted by Dundee University earlier, as the same participants will be involved;
  • More attention should be paid to conflict resolution rather than various acts of international right;
  • Practical exercises on conflict resolution should be considered: how act during conflict in low water period regarding different water use types (irrigation, hydropower, ecology), computer models use, etc.

Problems solution in water scarcity conditions caused by draught. In discussion of this project M. Khorst, G. Stulina (SANIIRI), and V. Khorinkova (IWMI) took part.

During next month local experts will select 4 representative plots in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Two control plots will present traditional practice of irrigation and crop cultivation. On two rest methods of management by irrigation practice and crop cultivation will be demonstrated that will maintain agricultural crop productivity under conditions of potential draught. Dimension of plots will be defined with account for irrigation scheme adopted in the farm (1-5 ha).

Preferable crops are: vegetables, maize, melons, and sunflower. Final version of cropping pattern will be defined after field demonstration of selected plots and contact with farmers.

On territory of demonstration plots following water saving methods will be applied:

(a) Mulching. It is planned to use three types of film cover: ordinary polyethylene film (white), dark, film decaying under solar radiation and tunnel film (for vegetable crops).

(b) Irrigation on deficit of vegetables, wheat, maize in Uzbekistan.

(c) As irrigation technology (regarding specific conditions of the plot) alternate irrigation of dry and wet furrows, wave irrigation, and irrigation of the field with unplanned slope.

Pilot plots will be equipped by metering devices of climatic parameters and devices for monitoring of soil moisture and salinity, crop growth and development.

ABOUT COOPERATION BETWEEN SIC ICWC AND UN UNIVERSITY OF PEACE

Senior Adviser of UN University of Peace sector Dr. William Garner visited SIC ICWC on January 14, 2003.
University of Peace was created as contractual organization with own statute approved by UN Assembly General in Resolution 35/55 of December 5, 1980.

Its program “Peace building in Central Asia - 2003” initiated in 2001 assumes to develop regional forum with account for water management issues. Officials, who develop political course, water and security experts, scientists from 5 Central-Asian countries and Afghanistan will be involved in forum. Forum will be realized as cooperation of national governments with regional, international organizations and NGO on base of positions developed by formed working groups.

Forum goal – to create political support of regional water problems and promote by involving in interactions along with water managers and actors that form regional external policy.

This process aims to give IFAS and ICWC status of structures including in UN system, as it was underlined by president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and approved by presidents of other Central-Asian states during meeting in Dushanbe on 5-6 of October 2002.

During visit University of Peace and SIC ICWC have signed Memorandum of understanding, which reflects their joint deliberations to establish cooperation between two international organizations and provides implementation of joint measures on following directions:

SIC ICWC measures:

  • Organize and conduct measures on regional consulting, expert assessments, discussions and various seminars on basis of TC ICWC with involvement of experts in water resources management as well as NGO;
  • Find and select experts on water resources management and conflict resolution. Carry out proper thematic scientific researches with following conduction of training on international water right and negotiating skill regarding joint water resources use, taking into account interests of all concern countries;
  • Provide access to regional databases and bases of knowledge to take part in development of educational materials for preparation courses on theme of peace building in process of transboundary water resources use and management;
  • Involve experts of SIC ICWC and TC ICWC in conduction of courses on preparation of trainer-instructors for perspective propagate of peace building ideas among different concern parties to introduce multidisciplinary approach to solution of water and environmental problems based on joint participation.

Measures of University of Peace:

  • Entrust preparation of research reports on theme of comparative policy on problems in regional water resources management in Central Asia, which are discussed on negotiations and on related power aspects;
  • Promote training of CAR experts on conduction of regional water negotiations;
  • Support process of working group activity, development of training processes, and organization of international seminars on thematic: “Regional Water Resources” and “Peace building”;
  • Promote further mutual understanding in issue of potential result proceeding from CAR proposals about “awarding of Interstate Coordination Water Commission by special status with priorities of authorities on water resources and simultaneously initiate IFAS transformation to UN structure” (I. Karimov, 05.12.2002, Dushanbe);
  • Support cooperation with assigned representatives of both Government of Uzbekistan and SIC ICWC in organization of final plenary session of regional forum, which is proposed to conduct in Uzbekistan together with planned quarterly ICWC meeting in Tashkent in the end of autumn 2003.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLEAGUE

We congratulate our colleague – water-power expert

AMETOV ISKANDER JANGIROVICH

with awarding him by «Deserved power expert of CIS”.