Central Asia

IWMI’s work in Central Asia aims to mitigate risks to the availability of water, overcome inequities, and support the region to manage its water resources sustainably.

IWMI in Central Asia

IWMI collaborates closely with government ministries, local water-management authorities, farmers, academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations, partners and donor-funded projects.

We have undertaken more than 30 research-for-development projects in Central Asia since 2001, forging formal partnerships with the Executive bodies of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia; Central Asia Regional Ecological Center, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, the Central Asia chapter of the Global Water Partnership; the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, and many more.

Regional representative

Barbara Janusz-Pawletta

Barbara Janusz-Pawletta

Country Representative, Uzbekistan & Regional Representative, Central Asia

Contact

For work related to Central Asia, please contact our regional office in Uzbekistan.

Contact the media team.

Contact our global HQ.

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Projects in Central Asia

Latest Central Asia news

The growing importance of hydro-diplomacy in delivering cross-border water solutions

Lessons from Central Asia and the Middle East show that navigating politics, not just rivers, is central to effective transboundary water management …

How communities in fragile settings shape climate resilience

Their work rarely makes headlines, but in some of the world’s most fragile places, locally led, gender-responsive approaches are quietly transforming access to water …

Shared rivers strengthen regional ties in Central Asia

Experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan explore pathways for sustainable water management and climate resilience …

IWMI assesses regional drought risk in Central Asia 

In the Chu-Talas Basin, research and farmers’ experience come together to strengthen drought resilience …

Latest Central Asia publications

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Conference Paper

Water resources management and planning under climate uncertainty: assessment of the droughts in Uzbekistan

September, 2025
Abdullaev, Iskandar; Gafurov, Zafar; Kenjabaev, Shavkat
Open Access
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Conference Paper

Nexus-based water management – trade-off analysis in the Chirchik River Basin, Uzbekistan

September, 2025
Gafurov, Zafar; Akcakoca, Fatma; Holmatov, Bunyod; Kenjabaev, Shavkat; Umirzakov, G.
Open Access
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Journal Article

Future research directions for understanding the interconnections between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility in rural Central Asia

Informa UK Limited | August 9th, 2025
Hermans, K.; Djanibekov, N.; Abdullaev, Iskandar; Abduvalieva, N.; Assubayeva, A.; Blondin, S.; Bobojonov, I.; Conrad, C.; Herzfeld, T.; Kansiime, J.; Kimsanova, B.; Laldjebaev, M.; Mirkasimov, B.; Mirzabaev, A.; Murzakulova, A.; Rajabova, S.; Samakov, A.; Schraven, B.; Sterly, H.; Umirbekov, A.
Open Access