EDB Seminar on Water and Energy Cooperation in Central Asia

On 21 April 2026, the seminar «Sustainable Management of Central Asia’s Water and Energy Complex: Mechanisms for Joint Action» was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event organized by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) was aimed to support the development of harmonized approaches among government agencies of Central Asian countries for managing the water and energy complex with account of transboundary linkages, climate risks, existing national programs, and the capacities of multilateral development banks.

Dinara Ziganshina, Director of SIC ICWC, participated in the seminar and delivered a presentation titled «Information Systems and Analytics to Support Sustainable Solutions and Cooperation among Central Asian Countries»In her presentation, she shared SIC ICWC’s experience in developing regional information systems, as well as analytical tools and models that support interstate cooperation and decision-making in water and energy.

Particular emphasis was placed on the practical format of the event. The workshop organized in line with high professional standards combined expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions to jointly identify challenges, discuss coordination mechanisms, and develop practical recommendations. This format enabled a substantive and focused exchange of views among representatives of government agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, and the research and analytical community.

The analytical materials prepared by EDB for the seminar worth special mention. These materials provided a strong foundation for discussions, helped structure professional dialogue on key challenges and prospects for sustainable water and energy management, and supported a more in-depth examination of existing risks, scenarios, and mechanisms for joint action.

The launch of the EDB Digital Academy also deserves recognition as a timely initiative aimed at enhancing professional knowledge, strengthening expert capacity, and promoting modern approaches to training specialists in water, energy, economics, and sustainable development..

Participation of SIC ICWC in the workshop reaffirmed the importance of regional expertise in information support, analytics, and modeling to advance sustainable solutions and strengthen interstate cooperation in Central Asia.