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Water pressures in Central Asia: Seeking solutions through research

23 November 2016

Participants were guided by international experts as they conducted research, in line with international standards, on water policy studies. The seminar covered aspects such as the structure, outline and methods of academic research writing, Dushanbe, 7 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

Researchers cross the fast-flowing Varzob River which passes through Dushanbe and flows into the Kofarnikon, a tributary of the Amu Darya, one of the main rivers in Central Asia, 5 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

The international researchers visited the Maikhura meteorological post, where they were introduced to various topics on climate change that affect the water supply of the region, Varzob valley, 5 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

An expert explains the work of the Dagana hydrological post on the Varzob river. This is one of more than ninety such posts along the river that provide data on river flows. This information is key in determining the risk of flooding and for risk reduction management, Varzob, 5 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

During their visit to the Obi Rahmat Water Users’ Association, the researchers learned about the challenges of sustainable water supply to local farmers, who are faced with water scarcity due to ageing infrastructure, wasteful irrigation practices and a shortage of financing, Gissar, 5 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

Field excursions were held during the course to locations such as the Maikhura meteorological post in the Varzob valley. As one of 54 operating meteorological posts in Tajikistan, it provides relevant industries and ministries with information on air quality, weather conditions, and data on climate change, which are crucial for the region’s water supply, Maikhura, Tajikistan, 5 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

The researchers learned about how to effectively present the results of their work for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Eight of the best research papers will be published in a special issue of the E-Journal of Integrated Water Resources Management in Central Asia, which is run by the German-Kazakh University, Dushanbe, 7 October 2016.

OSCE/Ronan Shenhav Photo details

Access to safe and clean water, as with all regions worldwide, is crucial to Central Asia’s development, socio-economic stability, food and energy security and to sustaining livelihoods. Water scarcity can push communities towards competition and conflict.

That’s why, from 3 to 7 October 2016, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan joined forces with the German- Kazakh University, to boost the capacities of researchers in the region on identifying sustainable, fair and efficient ways of managing water resources. The workshop, which brought together researchers from the OSCE participating States of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, and the OSCE Partner for Co-operation, Afghanistan, aimed to strengthen their writing skills so that their papers can shape and influence policy.