September 8, 2026
From glaciers and mountain rivers to agricultural lands and communities downstream, Central Asia’s mountain ecosystems are closely connected to the region’s water security and livelihoods. As climate change places growing pressure on these ecosystems, protecting mountain water resources is becoming an increasingly important shared priority for Central Asian countries.
How can countries strengthen their cooperation to address these challenges? This question was at the heart of the Regional Expert Meeting on Mountain Ecosystem Resilience and Water Challenges, held on 6 October 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The meeting was jointly organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and UNESCO, with support from the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative.
The discussions brought together national perspectives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, supported by scientific expertise from international research institutions. Rather than looking at mountain ecosystems and water resources as separate national concerns, the meeting provided an opportunity to explore shared challenges and identify areas where regional cooperation could make a difference.
A central theme was the connection between water security, healthy mountain ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods. Discussions explored climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring and the role of scientific evidence in guiding policies and practical solutions.
The meeting also looked beyond immediate challenges towards a common regional agenda. One of its main objectives was to advance the preparation of a joint Regional Position Paper for the Second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek+25”, planned for October 2027. The paper is intended to bring together national priorities, scientific findings and opportunities for cooperation, helping Central Asian countries present a coordinated regional perspective at the summit.
Contributing to this dialogue, Blue Peace Central Asia presented the Regional Vision on Water and Climate, highlighting the importance of joint approaches to managing shared water resources and responding to climate-related challenges.
The discussions in Bishkek marked a step towards connecting national expertise with regional priorities and future international dialogue. As preparations for “Bishkek+25” continue, cooperation among scientific institutions, policymakers and regional partners will be important in turning shared priorities into practical action for more resilient mountain ecosystems and sustainable water management.
Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by IWMI and IUCN in partnership with CAREC.
Source:https://www.bluepeace-centralasia.ch/en/news/news/blue-peace-central-asia-supports-dialogue-in-bishkek/
