Dashoguz, Turkmenistan, 12 November 2025 – A representative of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) participated in a practical workshop on effective management of water and land resources in irrigated agriculture and sustainable pasture management in pilot regions. The workshop gathered around 20 participants representing the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Committee for Water Management, local governments, livestock farms, and NGOs. The event was organized under the UNDP/GEF project in Turkmenistan “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High-Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits.”
A key component of the workshop was a presentation delivered by the SIC ICSD representative, Mr. Nikolay Nikolaev, entitled “Decision-Support Tools Based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Other Instruments (Remote Sensing, Participatory Mapping, Land-Use Scenario Modelling) Applicable to Pasture Lands in the Context of Turkmenistan.” In his presentation, he provided an in-depth overview of the use of GIS platforms for monitoring pasture conditions, assessing productivity, forecasting land degradation, and planning sustainable rotational grazing. He presented examples of integrating satellite data, digital mapping, community-based mapping tools, and scenario modelling approaches that enable government agencies to make informed decisions under conditions of climate change and increasing water scarcity. Participants emphasized the high practical relevance of the approaches presented for strengthening sustainable pasture management in Turkmenistan.
The workshop’s programme focused on practical discussions of integrated land-use mechanisms, improved water use, enhanced irrigation efficiency, modernization of drainage systems, and prevention of soil salinization. Special attention was given to sustainable pasture management, including productivity assessment, implementation of rotational grazing, and rehabilitation of livestock watering infrastructure.
The agenda also included an overview of climate risks for agriculture, discussion of water-saving irrigation methods, hydromodule zoning, and optimization of water management infrastructure. Representatives of regional and local agencies exchanged experiences on land reclamation, operation of drainage networks, and climate adaptation in agriculture.
In the concluding session, participants underscored the importance of continued knowledge exchange and expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the field of integrated water and land resource management.
SIC ICSD will continue advancing scientific and analytical cooperation among government institutions, the research community, and international organizations within regional initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and the rational use of natural resources in Central Asia.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 5 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.1 integration of the ecosystem approach for climate change adaptation at the strategic, programmatic and project levels to improve cross-sectoral collaboration (and sectoral plans) and ecosystem protection, restoration and sustainable management. |