Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 4:00 pm (Almaty Time/GMT+5) 

This lecture will be virtual with simultaneous English-to-Russian translation.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctcumrrDIpHdDgTw0SDzbjrb8uHqtJXBXn#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Description

Environmental flow in Central Asia is becoming an increasingly relevant topic in light of the challenges faced in the region. Agricultural activity, industrial pollution, and urbanization growth puts significant pressure on water resources and degrades water quality. In response to these threats, Central Asian countries are developing comprehensive approaches to water resource management, placing greater emphasis on ecosystem protection and regulation of environmental flows.

The laws and regulations being developed in the region aim to protect the environment and establish water quality standards. The countries in the region have practical experience in regulating environmental flow and improving water resource quality, especially in agricultural and industrial areas. In Kazakhstan water quality monitoring programs have been implemented to track pollutant levels in rivers and lakes, particularly in rivers like the Irtysh, Ural, and Syr Darya. In Uzbekistan, the government is conducting agricultural reforms aimed at optimizing water use and reducing water consumption.

The experience of Central Asian countries demonstrates a comprehensive approach to flow management, including monitoring, introduction of new technologies, and international cooperation, which have achieved significant success. This approach creates a foundation for sustainable and environmentally safe water resource usage in Central Asia. We will discuss the current laws and regulations aimed at environmental protection, regulation of environmental flow, and improvement of water quality during the upcoming lecture.

The guest lectures will discuss the following issues:

• Laws and standards aimed at minimizing water resource pollution, including the establishment of pollutant limits and the implementation of methods for flow control and monitoring.
• The experiences of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in managing environmental flows, including the adoption of water-saving technologies, the improvement of their regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of environmental programs.

Our esteemed experts will discuss these topics during the twenty-seventh lecture:

• Igor Shenberger, Hydrologist and Data Manager, USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity
• Ms. Diana Burlibayeva, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Geography and Water Safety in the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Ms. Zulfiya Yarullina, Senior Specialist in the Scientific and Analytical Department of Regional Water Management at the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC)