The Central Asian Decision Support System (DSS) constitutes an integrated information and analytical platform designed to provide public authorities and other stakeholders with reliable, comparable and timely data to support decision-making in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable development. Since reliable information is a necessary precondition for the validity and reliability of decisions taken, the Scientific-Information Center of ICSD (SIC ICSD) received a mandate to create and maintain an extensive database of environmental, economic and social information and implement the project “Development of the Central Asian Information System for Decision Support (DSS)”, which corresponds to the second target objective of the Regional Environmental Action Plan (REAP) support process.
The DSS was established pursuant to ICSD Decision No. 3 dated 17 May 2002 (Dushanbe). Under this decision, SIC ICSD was mandated to serve as a Regional Centre for expert and information support to the implementation processes of REAP and sustainable development.
SIC ICSD is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the DSS, including the establishment of a regional database, development of indicators, and coordination of cooperation among national and regional partners. The system is implemented with the support of international organizations, including United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme and Asian Development Bank.
Main Objective and Functions of the DSS
The overarching objective of the DSS is to strengthen the regional decision-making framework in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable development by providing decision-makers with a comprehensive and integrated information base.
The key functions of the DSS include:
- strengthening the regional information exchange system based on minimum, standardized and harmonized environmental and sustainable development data;
- expanding access for national and regional institutions, the public and development partners to environmental and sustainable development information; and
- enhancing the capacity of Central Asian governments to make informed decisions through the provision of reliable and comprehensive data.
The DSS further contributes to improving transparency in decision-making processes and fostering greater public participation in sustainable development.
Operational Framework of the DSS
The operational framework of the DSS is based on the provisions of Chapter 40 of Agenda 21. At the data level, sectoral data from official national statistics are integrated into a comprehensive regional database using database management methods and geographic information system (GIS) technologies.
At the information level, indicators are applied to assess and analyse performance based on primary data. At the decision-making level, analytical reports are prepared for senior policymakers, grounded in robust quantitative data, thereby fully supporting the decision-making process.
The system brings together diverse users and data providers into a unified information network at both national and regional levels.
Key DSS Document
“Assessment Report on the Development of the Central Asian Regional Decision Support System for Sustainable Development” (Ashgabat, 2002).
"Indicators of Sustainable Development of Central Asian Countries" (February 2004)