Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, 20 February 2024 – A representative of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) actively participated in the Inception Meeting on Climate Risk Assessment and Capacity Development (CRACD), organized by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the regional programme "Climate Risk Management in Central Asia." The meeting brought together representatives of government authorities, international organizations, research institutions, river basin organizations, the scientific community, and development partners from across Central Asia to discuss contemporary approaches to climate risk assessment and capacity development for climate change adaptation.
The primary objective of the inception meeting was to officially launch the implementation of the Climate Risk Assessment and Capacity Development (CRACD) component, which aims to develop a Regional Methodology for Climate Risk Assessment and establish a comprehensive capacity-building framework to strengthen the resilience of Central Asia's water sector to the impacts of climate change. Particular attention was given to five transboundary river basins selected as pilot areas for the project: Isfayramsai, Shahimardan, Zarafshan, Murgab, and the Chon-Kemin/Chu River basin.
During the plenary session, international experts presented state-of-the-art methodologies for climate risk assessment based on internationally recognized approaches and the outcomes of the Twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), including decisions related to the implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Participants were also introduced to the project's capacity development framework, which envisages the training of national experts, the development of specialized learning programmes, and the establishment of a regional knowledge-sharing platform on climate change adaptation.
In the afternoon, the representative of SIC ICSD actively contributed to thematic working group discussions focusing on the impacts of climate change on water resources, natural ecosystems, and socio-economic sectors within the transboundary river basins of Central Asia. The expert discussions identified the most vulnerable areas and population groups, assessed key climate-related risks, and examined existing climate risk management measures, as well as opportunities for their further enhancement.
Particular emphasis was placed on integrating the results of climate risk assessments into national and regional strategic planning processes, strengthening inter-institutional coordination mechanisms, enhancing climate monitoring systems, and expanding the use of scientific data in the design and implementation of adaptation measures. The SIC ICSD representative shared regional experience in environmental monitoring and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among the Central Asian countries in the exchange of climate information, joint assessment of transboundary climate risks, and the development of coordinated adaptation responses.
At the conclusion of the working group sessions, participants presented the outcomes of their discussions, formulated preliminary recommendations for improving the climate risk assessment methodology, and identified priority areas for the project's future implementation at both the national and regional levels. Particular attention was devoted to ensuring the broad engagement of relevant government institutions, scientific organizations, and local stakeholders throughout the implementation process, as well as promoting the practical application of project results in the development of national and regional climate change adaptation programmes.
The participation of SIC ICSD in the CRACD inception meeting contributes to strengthening regional cooperation on climate risk assessment and supports the implementation of the climate-related priorities of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development of Central Asia (REP4SD-CA) for 2020-2030.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area of REP4SD No 4 dedicated to SDG 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” |
| 4.3 Assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilites through the application of corresponding models of a climate change impact on water resources, terrestrial ecosystems and natural disasters, tackling the development of state policies and strategies in this area. |