SIC ICWC PARTICIPATED IN THE SPECA MEETINGS
27th Session of the SPECA Working Group on Water, Energy, and Environment
The 27th session of the SPECA Working Group on Water, Energy, and Environment was held on 25 November 2024 in a hybrid format in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Working Group serves as a key instrument for regional cooperation among Central Asian countries, addressing challenges in water management, energy security, and environmental sustainability. This meeting reviewed the progress in the water and energy sectors over the past year and discussed plans to further strengthen regional collaboration.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECE and ESCAP, and the Deputy Head of the UN Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia delivered welcoming speeches during the opening ceremony. They highlighted the critical importance of sustainable water and energy cooperation, as well as regional integration.
The session presented a regional roadmap for integrating energy systems to support sustainable development (ESCAP), scenario modelling for strengthening energy connectivity in Central Asia (SEI), the role of water trade, management and hydropower in adapting to climate change and an introduction to the International Year of Glacier Conservation (2025). The primary focus was on sharing experiences in the development of hydropower solutions for sustainable development.
Additionally, a report was presented on the ESCAP Resolution 79/8: modality on establishing UN Special fund for the Aral Sea (ESCAP, D. Ziganshina).
In a separate session, each SPECA member country shared their achievements and challenges in the water and energy sectors. Key topics included the adoption of new technologies, improvements in water management and the development of renewable energy.
SPECA Economic Forum 2024: Green Development in the SPECA Region
On 26-27 November, the SPECA 2024 Economic Forum was held at the National Library of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The event was organized under the United Nations Programme for Central Asia (SPECA). The Forum gathered representatives from government agencies, international organizations, academia and the private sector to discuss pressing issues related to green development in the region.
The Forum focused on the following areas:
- Green development and cooperation: strategies for sustainable growth in Central Asia.
- Water, energy and climate change: promoting intersectoral planning and joint action.
- Innovation and technology: strengthening innovation ecosystems for sustainable development.
- Gender equality and economic empowerment: ensuring equal opportunities in a green economy.
Dinara Ziganshina, Director of SIC ICWC, made a presentation during Session II: Water, Energy and Climate change. Her report highlighted information and analytical tools developed under the IKI Project titled ‘Regional mechanisms for the low-carbon, climate resilient transformation of the energy-water-land Nexus in Central Asia’. Key elements of the presentation included: upgrading the CAWater-Info Knowledge Portal to version 4.0., enhancements to the CAWater-IS Regional Information System, the development of water-energy nexus modelling tools, and strengthening expert collaboration and analytics. The presentation underscored the importance of integrating data and knowledge to ensure sustainable management of water and energy resources, particularly under the challenges posed by climate change.
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