On July 7, 2025, a meeting took place at the office of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Tashkent between Mr. Batyr Mamedov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), and IWMI representatives Mr. Alexander Nikolaenko and Dr. Iskandar Abdullaev.
During the meeting, Mr. Mamedov was officially introduced in his new role as CAREC's Executive Director, and the parties discussed ongoing cooperation, with a particular focus on the implementation of the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative. Both sides expressed mutual interest in strengthening collaboration and outlined key priorities for the next phase of joint activities.
The Blue Peace initiative, implemented by IWMI, IUCN, and CAREC with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), promotes peaceful, sustainable, and cooperative management of transboundary water resources in Central Asia. The project spans across the region’s countries and focuses on advancing water diplomacy, facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, and integrating innovative approaches to water monitoring and management.
The discussion covered the institutional roles of each partner, potential areas for deepening cooperation, and the importance of a coordinated approach to achieve the initiative’s goals. Particular attention was given to strengthening scientific capacity, expanding educational programs, and encouraging youth engagement in water governance processes.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued close cooperation and expressed confidence that the Blue Peace initiative would play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and building trust across Central Asia.
Contact information:
Nodirbek Rahimjonov – CAREC Country Director in Uzbekistan, uzbekistan@carececo.org