ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan
On 21 October 2026, UNRCCA, in cooperation with the British Embassy in Ashgabat, held an online session of its Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) on “Water Security and Climate Change in Central Asia: Key Challenges and Priorities,” bringing together members of the Academy’s 2026 cohort.
Ms. Clare Allbless, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul at the British Embassy in Ashgabat, discussed the forthcoming COP31 climate conference and outlined the United Kingdom’s perspective on its priorities.
Dr. Undala Alam, Regional Climate Adviser for Central Asia at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), presented regional water and climate trends, examining the challenges facing Central Asia and priorities for addressing them. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer exchange on their implications for the region.
Participants also discussed UNRCCA’s work on water and climate, including its support for dialogue among Central Asian countries on shared water resources. This brought the Centre’s preventive diplomacy mandate into the discussion, connecting water cooperation with efforts to build confidence and address potential sources of tension.
The session offered young participants a broader understanding of how international climate efforts and regional dialogue can contribute to managing shared environmental challenges and supporting sustainable development.
