National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Central Asia is endowed with diverse natural resources, ranging from vast wetlands and river systems to mountain ecosystems and arid plains. These natural systems provide essential resources—water, food, and livelihoods—for more than 84 million people.  However, the potential for these ecosystems to support natural, social and economic prosperity of the region is under pressure from decades of over-extraction, degradation and the onset of long-term climatic changes. 

In response to these challenges, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have joined forces under the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) programme. The initiative is supported by the Global Environment Facility with a budget of USD 30 million and is being implemented with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The programme promotes integrated management of water and land resources, including the restoration of agricultural lands, combating desertification, conservation of forests and biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience. Particular attention is given to the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins—key water sources for the region on which around 80 per cent of the population depends.

Over the past 150 years, intensive water use—particularly for irrigation—combined with declining precipitation has led to a significant reduction in water levels in these rivers. This has been one of the key drivers of the Aral Sea environmental crisis, with the sea now reduced to just 10 per cent of its original size.

Ecosystem degradation is already having a profound impact on the region’s biodiversity. Several unique species, including the white-headed duck and the Amu Darya false shovelnose sturgeon, are under threat of extinction. At the same time, desertification is intensifying, adversely affecting agriculture, livelihoods and economic stability. Recent estimates suggest that the degradation of rangelands, desertification, deforestation and the abandonment of croplands together cost Central Asia some $6 billion each year. 

The new initiative will apply a “nexus approach,” ensuring coordinated management of water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems. It also supported strengthening transboundary dialogue, improving regulatory frameworks, and introducing advanced monitoring technologies, including satellite systems and early warning systems for natural hazards.

Both regional and national projects are planned. In particular, pilot initiatives on agroforestry and sustainable land management will be implemented in the Aral Sea basin, alongside the establishment of platforms for knowledge exchange and the promotion of environmental awareness, including among youth.

The programme is expected to contribute to the restoration of degraded landscapes, improve water-use efficiency and strengthen food security, thereby supporting sustainable development across the region and enhancing the quality of life for millions of people.