For Immediate Release
Press Release
Almaty, Kazakhstan, March 22, 2024 – This month, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is commemorating World Water Day in Central Asia by supporting a series of events designed to engage youth and promote the need for more significant water conservation and cooperation.
World Water Day is the United Nations’ annual observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water, advocates for sustainable use, and focuses on topics related to Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure Water and Sanitation for All.
This year’s theme is “Water for Peace,” which calls on nations and communities alike to recognize the value and strength of water cooperation as a stabilizing force for peace and sustainable development.
In this context, USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity is organizing World Water Day events in Central Asia (starting in Dushanbe tomorrow) designed to provide students, professionals, and communities with opportunities to learn more about today’s water challenges and solutions for the future. Events organized across the countries of Central Asia reinforce the importance of preserving water as a shared resource to the region.
Tajikistan (March 7) – One-day conference for faculty and students from Tajik universities, regional experts, and representatives from other Central Asian universities to discuss challenges and solutions for sustainable water use in Central Asia.
Kyrgyz Republic (March 11 and 14) – On March 11, an online quiz competition on water-themed topics was hosted for teams from 12 Central Asian universities. On March 14, a field visit to Sokuluk Reservoir for university students and faculty to learn about facility management.
Uzbekistan (March 13) – Essay and quiz competitions for university students from Uzbek universities at the Tashkent Institute for Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineering (TIIAME).
Turkmenistan (March 28-29) – A river clean-up and tree-planting event along the Shavat Canal in the Dashoguz region.
Kazakhstan (April 12-16) An expedition to the Oasis in the Kyzylorda region to the former shores of the Aral Sea, where USAID and its Kazakh partners have created a 500-hectare demonstration site for testing black saxaul shrubs as a first step for restoring the local ecosystem.
“USAID is pleased to support events like these when communities and young people come together to have fun, learn about, and recognize the shared challenges we face due to climate change. Special events like World Water Day provide an important reminder that we are much stronger acting together than acting individually,” said Luis Rivera, USAID Central Asia Regional Mission Director.
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USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity is focused on strengthening regional capacity to manage shared water resources and mitigating environmental risks in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The Activity takes a multi-level approach to tackle complex regional water challenges by strengthening collaboration through stakeholder dialogues; developing a shared vision for integrated and sustainable river basin management using evidence and modeling; and fostering collaborative action across sectors and governance levels.
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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. For more information, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and USAID’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia.