Encouraging Water Diplomacy Across Central Asia: Initiative by International Union for Conservation of Nature
Headline: IUCN Opens Central Asia Office in Uzbekistan to Boost Conservation Efforts
Subheadline: A new hub for regional environmental cooperation in Central Asia, the IUCN Central Asia Office aims to strengthen resilience and preserve biodiversity.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially kicked off its Central Asia Office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking a significant step towards advancing conservation and climate resilience goals across Central Asia. The new office was inaugurated on June 2, as per IUCN press service reports.
Courtesy of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change
The grand event was attended by representatives spanning Central Asian governments, development partners, civil society, and IUCN leadership. The new office in the heart of Central Asia will serve Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, providing invaluable support for their environmental agendas.
Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, highlighted the office's significance:
Positioned at the Central Asian Green University, the new office will facilitate stronger engagement with IUCN members, opening doors for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Abdukhakimov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, stressed the office’s strategic significance:
IUCN's footprints across Central Asia encompass an array of projects that address environmental governance, protected and conserved areas, and integrated responses to biodiversity and climate challenges. Among the notable initiatives are:
- One Health in Nature Conservation: An initiative emphasizing the interconnectedness of human and environmental health in landscape planning and management.
- Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0: A project championing cross-border water cooperation and diplomacy across the region.
While specific details about the FOLUR Project in Central Asia are scarce, it generally associates with global efforts promoting sustainable land use and forestry management.
Lastly, the Kazakhstan's Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) focuses on enhancing pasture management and driving ecosystem restoration within Kazakhstan.
Founded in 1948, IUCN is a membership Union consisting of both government and civil society organizations, with its Secretariat headquartered in Switzerland.
The inauguration of the IUCN Central Asia Office in Tashkent signifies a commitment to boost conservation efforts and address climate resilience in Central Asia. This office, positioned at the Central Asian Green University, will facilitate stronger collaboration among IUCN members, and will likely engage in projects such as the One Health in Nature Conservation, Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0, and potentially, the FOLUR Project. Furthermore, the office's existence demonstrates a potential interest in supporting initiatives like Kazakhstan's Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme, which focuses on pasture management and ecosystem restoration. This office's strategic location is expected to foster regional dialogue, align policy frameworks, and deliver on-ground conservation programs, with the ultimate goal of fostering a sustainable relationship between humanity and nature. Additionally, this environmental hub will be instrumental in preserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening climate resilience in Central Asia, with significant support from the finance and energy sectors, essential to implementing and funding the necessary conservation initiatives.
