Women’s and Youth Participation in Climate, Water and Energy Policy Discussed in Tashkent

On 6–7 October 2026, Tashkent hosted a political dialogue on “Women Parliamentarians and Youth for Climate-Resilient Water and Energy Resource Management in Central Asia,” organized under the GIZ Green Central Asia II in cooperation with partner organizations.

The event aimed to promote gender-responsive and intergenerational approaches to policymaking in climate, water, energy and sustainable development. Building on the first gender workshop in Bishkek, the dialogue brought together women parliamentarians from Central Asian countries, representatives of women’s and youth networks, civil society, experts and international organizations.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between parliamentarians, experts and young leaders, identifying opportunities to better reflect women’s and youth perspectives in decision-making, and developing practical recommendations for inclusive and climate-resilient water and energy management.

During the first-day roundtable, women parliamentarians presented their countries’ priorities and key climate and sustainable development challenges. They noted progress in women’s representation in national parliaments and stressed the importance of stronger regional cooperation, including interparliamentary dialogue, to advance gender-responsive policymaking.

Civil society representatives highlighted the need to better assess climate change impacts on women, including reproductive health risks. Proposals also included wider use of citizen science approaches and youth engagement in environmental monitoring.

The programme covered ongoing regional initiatives, opportunities for international cooperation and financing, and interactive sessions on strengthening partnerships and translating discussions into action. Particular attention was pais to cooperation between parliamentarians, expert and civil society networks, youth participation in policymaking, and future collaboration.

Oygul Usmanova represented SIC ICWC at the event. Together with Guldjan Makhmudova from Kyrgyzstan, she presented the global Women in Water Diplomacy Network and its regional chapter, Women in Water Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan. They highlighted the Network’s role as a platform for women’s professional development, knowledge and experience sharing, networking and regional cooperation in water management.

The concluding sessions identified next steps to strengthen women’s and youth participation in climate, water and energy policymaking and foster sustained cooperation among parliamentarians, experts and civil society across Central Asia. Participants agreed on the need for a regional platform connecting these stakeholders, potentially building on existing youth and women’s networks and expert communities.