OSCE supports seminar on water governance and climate security in Central Asia

An OSCE-supported three-day seminar on water governance and climate security in Central Asia concluded on 29 September 2021 in Almaty. The event was attended by some 30 young civil servants, students and representatives of government organizations responsible for climate change policy and water resources management in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with the German-Kazakh University. The seminar provided an overview of legal issues for water security in Central Asia.  Lecturers discussed the risks, which countries in the region may face following climate change impacts on water resources and how the dependent sectors may be affected. 

In light of the upcoming UN Climate Change Summit (COP26, to be held in Glasgow), participants reviewed the concept of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) — a key element of the Paris Agreement — and the compliance of Central Asian countries to their governments’ declared obligations.

For the second year in a row, the seminar was done in a blended format because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s event is the 5th seminar supported by the Programme Office and is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to engage youth and promote environmental leadership in the Central Asia region and Afghanistan.