Blue Peace Central Asia

Blue Peace Central Asia is a regional initiative to improve transboundary water cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This project aims to enhance collaboration and effective management of water resources across the region. It addresses questions related to increasing competing interests in water, fosters the understanding of the region as interdependent, and supports common solutions on water for the benefit of all. This initiative builds on the impacts of Blue Peace Central Asia 1.0, which promoted the benefits of transboundary water cooperation.

IWMI is leading a consortium with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The three project partners bring combined expertise in hydro-diplomacy, policy and governance — to attain effective water management, security and peace.

The goal of this 5-year project is for Central Asian populations to benefit from equitably shared and efficiency managed common water resources thanks to climate resilient and sustainable regional water management as a basis for socio-economic development and stability. The project has three main components:

1. Regional Hydro-Diplomacy: Project partners will facilitate discussions among countries on water management issues, including water quality and climate change, while enhancing data collection and sharing. Central Asian states will engage in results-oriented policy dialogues on regional water cooperation, which will inform the efficiency of basin-management agreements.
2. Technical dialogue and demonstration of water cooperation projects at small transboundary tributary levels: Project partners will provide operational and technical assistance for local water management, including developing plans for cross-border rivers and implementing water-saving technologies. Central Asian representatives will collaborate on innovative projects with better access to finance. Transboundary projects will show the technical possibilities and areas of cooperation.
3. Youth engagement and capacitating the next generation of water professionals across Central Asia:The project will create opportunities for academic exchanges and will offer scholarships for master’s degree programs in water resource management. It will also raise awareness about critical water issues and engage young people in entrepreneurial initiatives. A new, stronger community of young water professionals will advance water cooperation in Central Asia.