ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 15-16 March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Government of Canada organized an online capacity-building workshop dedicated to water and health nexus as well as gender equality for effective management of water resources in the region: “Challenges and Opportunities in Central Asia and Afghanistan in the post-COVID World”. Representatives of relevant ministries and institutions of Central Asian states and Afghanistan as well as representatives of the United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE), European Union (EU), IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and Living Asia, including international experts took part in the workshop.

In her address, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman, underlined that it was impossible to lead the democratic development and modernization, as well as properly address management of water and environmental resources in the region without ensuring gender equality.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s Special Envoy to the EU and Europe and Ambassador to Germany, the Honorable Stéphane Dion, and Ambassador of Canada to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, H.E. Nicholas Brousseau, also addressed the workshop underlining the importance of involving women in transboundary water management for the benefit of everyone and for the sake of the future generations.

The event provided a platform for exchange of views and discussions on effective water management and health nexus in the context of the global pandemic with the emphasis on strengthening regional cooperation in this field. Participants also learnt the experience and best practices aimed at improving transboundary water management efficiency through the gender responsive water governance. At the outcome of the event, some practical recommendations were formulated with the view to follow-up and spur this important work in the region aimed at empowerment of women in all spheres of societal life.