Regional Training on Climate Risk Management and Climate Adaptation in the Fergana Valley

May 25, 2022
group photo
UNDP Uzbekistan

On May 11-13, 2022, the city of Fergana hosted a training on climate risk management and climate adaptation in the Fergana Valley conducted by UNDP
as part of its “Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Central Asia” Project.

The training venue has not been chosen by chance: the Fergana Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in Central Asia and a vivid example of vulnerabilities typical for the region. Over the past 20 years, the number of annually recorded natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena has exceeded 400 cases. At the same time, nine out of ten cases are associated with the adverse effects of climate change. The increased frequency of weather extremes poses a threat to infrastructure, social and environmental activities of the population, and impedes access to health care and education.

UNDP Uzbekistan

During a three days training, participants, including representatives and heads of Departments of Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, UzHydromet, Quarantine and Plant Protection Agency from Namangan, Andijan and Fergana regions of Uzbekistan and border regions of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, obtained extensive theoretical and practical knowledge on climate change, risk prevention and prediction on both global, regional and national levels.

The participants have been provided with detailed information on the Project action plan for 2022, as well as national climate change strategies of participating countries from Central Asia. Together with speakers, who included domestic, regional and international experts, as well as UNDP representatives, the participants elaborated on national aspects of climate change and climate risks in Central Asian countries. The Intergovernmental Expert Group provided its assessment of climate vulnerability and climate change resilience.

UNDP Uzbekistan

The second day of the training was about field work - the participants visited the Fergana Global Textile Cluster in the Kushtepa district and the Department of Hydrometeorology of the Fergana region. The UNDP-installed innovative early warning systems in the Fergana region were presented as part of the partnership project “Increasing climate resilience and climate-risk adaptation of farmers in the Ferghana Valley”.

The final day of the training featured expert assessment and recommendations from specialists on climate change adaptation and models of climate-resilient development at the national level, as well as the institutional and legal framework for cooperation to reduce natural disaster risks. In addition, practical work in small groups also took place, following which the participants made their presentations.

“I am really excited. I have learnt a lot of useful information in different areas. Work in small groups has brought Uzbeks, Kyrgyz and Tajiks together in one team and it was wonderful as our countries are facing similar problems and challenges. Now I have to share what I have learned with our female entrepreneurs,” says Lola Abdukhalimova, Chairwoman of Business Women's Association of Uzbekistan (Namangan region).

UNDP Uzbekistan

The training concluded with a discussion of recommendations for a regional roadmap on climate adaptation in agriculture, water management, disaster risk reduction and other sectors of the economy.  

“I think the training has served its purpose. The participants realized that the problem cannot be solved by one state alone, that we need to combine our efforts, learn how to negotiate, consider common interests of all nations, - says trainer Natalia Akinshina, summarizing the event. - Despite busy and somewhat overloaded schedule, we have managed to engage the representatives of all three countries to the development of a common regional action plan, a kind of a road map that includes adaptation measures in vulnerable sectors and areas.”

The organizers’ objective is to provide an up-to-date knowledge framework on climate risks, thereby increasing the capacity of decision-makers and stakeholders in charge of in climate resilience and implementation of climate adaptation measures in Central Asian countries. Possible ways of cooperation among government agencies and partner organizations of the three countries have been identified which resulted in a joint action plan.  

The Project “Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Central Asia” is jointly implemented by UNDP, the Agency on Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and the Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan and is funded by the European Union. The key objective of the Project is to assist in ensuring stability and develop climate-resilient development models in the Fergana Valley - a trans-boundary zone of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.