UNRCCA ORGANIZES CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOP AND MEETING OF CENTRAL ASIAN WATER EXPERTS IN DUSHANBE

13 Nov 2019

UNRCCA ORGANIZES CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOP AND MEETING OF CENTRAL ASIAN WATER EXPERTS IN DUSHANBE

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

In Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 12 November 2019, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) organized a capacity building workshop on water diplomacy practices related to disputes over water resources in the context of the “Water, Peace and Security” agenda. Representatives of relevant ministries and institutions of the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan participated, along with UN agencies, partner organizations and independent experts.

During the workshop, participants reviewed water diplomacy best practices and international experience related to disputes over trans-boundary water resources. They also discussed practical ways of benefiting from challenges and opportunities that may arise from such disputes as well as from cooperation more broadly.

The workshop also provided participants with a brief overview of regional and international legal instruments and institutions that provide a framework for using trans-boundary waters in Central Asia. Building upon this, participants also considered possible options for improving the effectiveness of the existing framework.

The following day, UNRCCA convened an ad-hoc working group of water experts consisting of representatives of the Central Asian states and Afghanistan to exchange views on launching practical discussions aimed at enhancing regional cooperation on water and energy.

Participating countries commended the Centre for the two events and underlined the importance of UNRCCA as a platform for promoting regional dialogue on transboundary water management in the context of its mandate to promote water dialogue in the region through preventive diplomacy.