DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

On 5 June 2023, in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), UNRCCA organized a thematic workshop on “Hydropower and Gender Equality for Effective Water Governance in view of Climate Change: Challenges and opportunities for Central Asia”. The event was conducted in hybrid format back-to-back with the High-Level International Conference “Central Asia: Towards sustainable future through strong regional institution” (5-7 June 2023), dedicated to the 30^th  anniversary of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and became one of the sessions putting gender in spotlight through the water governance lens.

Around 35 representatives of relevant ministries and respective state agencies of the Central Asian states involved in the promotion of regional dialogue on transboundary water and related natural resources management participated, along with NGOs, international experts and scientific community.

During the event the delegations discussed and made meaningful exchanges on hydropower potential and water use in view of climate change in Central Asia, taking into account the important nexus between glaciers and water, climate, and hydropower. The delegations also informed each other on the adaptation measures in the national legislation, programs and respective activities at both national and regional levels. The workshop was also devoted to gender mainstreaming related to transboundary water governance and climate change in Central Asia, which was the only event within the Conference addressing the gender topic at the regional level. Representatives of the Central Asian states had an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen gender responsiveness in water governance, and exchange relevant experience in this field.