Academic Community Network (ACN) Meeting: Sustainable Use and Protection of Water Resources in Central Asia

Purpose of the Meetings:

The meetings aim to develop measures for improving natural resource management through science and education. ACN provides universities with opportunities to:

• Collaborate with regional and international experts
• Develop and improve educational courses
• Train faculty on new approaches and tools

International development partners such as USAID and SDC support the creation of standardized educational materials for implementation across ACN member universities, ensuring a unified approach to building the capacity of future water sector specialists and related fields in the region.

Coordination and Support:

ACN activities are coordinated by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) with support from development partners including:

• USAID
• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
• GIZ
• European Union (EU)
• World Bank (WB)

In addition to in-person meetings, ACN is supported by the Community of Practice e-platform (https://www.riverbp.net/community_of_practice/profile/about/), which serves as a virtual space for knowledge exchange, hosting educational and scientific materials, and forming an expert community in water resources and related areas.

Upcoming ACN Meeting:

• The meeting will coincide with the Science and Technology Forum as part of the Third High-Level International Conference on the International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018–2028.
• Theme: Sustainable use and protection of water resources in Central Asia.

Registration (Zoom): https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-GurjwqGNLuqsHrAXs0ZzW3zHrbTSxC

• After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with joining instructions.

Format: Hybrid (in-person and via Zoom)

• Language: Russian, with simultaneous English translation

Organizers:

• USAID Regional Water and Environment Project
• Blue Peace Initiative in Central Asia, supported by CAREC
• Host: Academy of Public Administration under the President of Tajikistan

Objectives of the ACN Meeting:

1. Discuss advanced research, innovative approaches, and best practices in sustainable water resource management
2. Present the academic component results from Phase I of the Blue Peace Central Asia project and introduce the new project phase
3. Present new opportunities from development partners for collaboration with the academic community in Central Asia

Expected Participants:

• Representatives from universities in Central Asia and Europe
• Representatives from research institutes in Central Asia
• Representatives of the USAID Regional Mission in Central Asia
• Team of the USAID Regional Water and Environment Project
• Representatives from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
• Representatives from GIZ
• Representatives of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty