No. 87 (748) September 2026

SIC ICWC Participates in RCOY Central Asia 2026

On 4–6 September 2026, Samarkand hosted RCOY Central Asia 2026 – Sub-Regional Conference of Youth, held under the theme “Central Asian Youth for Climate, Water and Sustainable Development.” The event brought together young climate activists, youth leaders and emerging professionals from the five Central Asian countries, as well as Azerbaijan, Mongolia and Türkiye.

RCOY Central Asia 2026 provided a regional platform for youth dialogue on climate justice, climate change and water. The conference enabled direct engagement between young participants, technical experts and decision-makers. Particular attention was paid to strengthening participants’ knowledge of climate change and regional and global climate and water governance.

Representing the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (SIC ICWC), Oygul Usmanova delivered a presentation entitled “Regional Water Governance in the Aral Sea Basin: Challenges and Existing Responses.” The presentation addressed the key factors that make regional cooperation in the Aral Sea Basin essential: growing water demand, high dependence on irrigated agriculture, competing agricultural and energy needs, ecosystem water needs, and climate change. It also highlighted the existing framework for regional water cooperation, the role of ICWC and its executive bodies, and the importance of joint research and a reliable evidence base for decision-making.

Particular emphasis was placed on the Expert Platform on Water Security, Sustainable Development and Future Studies. The Platform currently operates within the IKI project “Regional Mechanisms for a Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Transformation of the Energy-Water-Land Nexus in Central Asia.” . It is envisioned as a foundation for multidisciplinary research, dialogue with decision-makers, professional development, and broader engagement of young professionals and women.

For the youth audience, particular emphasis was placed on the opportunity to engage in this work not only by bringing a youth perspective, but also as young researchers and professionals – hydrologists, economists, lawyers, engineers, environmental specialists, and experts in communications and negotiations.

The conference also served as the platform for finalizing and adopting the Regional Youth Statement (RYS) of Central Asia, which brings together a unified regional youth position for presentation at national, regional and global levels.