“Drops of the Future” comes to Uzbekistan
Where
After engagements in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, the “Drops of the Future” journey continued to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where OSCE organized the third edition of the series, hosted by the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent.
An inspiring group of young professionals from across Central Asia gathered to co-create a shared vision around the future of water, energy and food. Building on the ideas and momentum of the previous workshops, participants benefitted from expert input and peer-to-peer exchange to practical and innovative solutions.
Technological innovation was a key component of the workshop, including discussions on water-efficient agricultural machinery, next-generation water sensors for cotton production and the role of local meteorological stations in supporting climate-resilience farming.
The workshop resulted in a set of takeaways reflected in the developing Declaration:
- A commitment to using the unifying power of water to address regional challenges
- The importance of inclusive dialogue, engaging diverse communities through different forms of communication to broaden understanding and collective action
- The need for intergenerational dialogue, emphasizing knowledge sharing across age groups.
A highlight of the workshop was a field visit to a local cotton farm, where participants witnessed firsthand the integration of traditional agricultural practices with modern technologies in irrigation and harvesting. The visit highlighted how innovation in agriculture can help to address water scarcity and contribute to climate change adaptation.