Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 (BPCA 2.0)
Blue Peace Central Asia supports regional organisations and policy-makers to foster stability through more equitable and efficient transboundary water management in the context of climate change. It works across countries, sectors and generations to capacitate water experts and diplomats and to strengthen research and science for policy-making. In line with SDG 6.5.2, it demonstrates benefit sharing solutions in transboundary water management to advance operational arrangements for water cooperation at basin and sub-basin levels.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Central Asia |
Water
Water diplomacy and security
Water sector policy Water resources conservation |
01.10.2022
- 30.09.2029 |
CHF 9’850’000
|
- Implementation of the Climate Change adaptation strategy for Central Asia advanced; capacity of the regional working group on water quality and WASH strengthened; work of the regional working group on water and energy supported; capacities of Central Asia states in data management strengthened, and data-sharing tools enhanced; regional transboundary water management fora established.
- Small Transboundary Tributaries (STTs) identified through agreed methodologies and participatory processes; locally led needs assessment in selected STTs conducted; governance frameworks at STT levels assessed and strengthened; basin management and investment plans implemented.
- Higher Education in water diplomacy improved through shared regional educational frameworks; innovative and locally led approaches to science for policy dialogue supported; youth engagement in water management processes strengthened; women empowered across all project outputs.
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Swiss Private Sector
- I nternational Water Management Institute (IWMI) as lead of the consortium with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) as the main sub-contractor.
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Water sector policy and administrative management
Water sector policy and administrative management
Water resources conservation (including data collection)
Cross-cutting topics The project promotes biodiversity.
Conflict reduction
The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project number 7F10999
| Background | The Central Asian region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) faces significant challenges in water management, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, increasing water demand, and transboundary tensions over shared resources. The major rivers, Amu Darya and Syr Darya, traverse multiple countries, yet institutionalized cooperation mechanisms remain limited. This lack of coordination contributes to inefficient water use, environmental degradation, and heightened socio-political tensions, threatening regional stability and sustainable development. |
| Objectives | The Central Asian population benefits from equitably shared and effectively managed common water resources. |
| Target groups | Ministries and state agencies responsible for water resources and climate management and ministries of foreign affairs in the five Central Asian countries; national river basin organizations; regional institutions like the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and its sub-organizations (EC IFAS, ICWC, SIC ICWC, BWO Amu Darya, BWO Syr Darya, ICSD); educational and research institutes in Central Asia and Afghanistan; youth. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Transboundary water governance enhanced through evidence-based policy dialog in Central Asia. Outcome 2: Water cooperation strengthened through transboundary basin management and investment plans. Outcome 3: Advanced regional water cooperation by women and the next generation of scientists, diplomats and water professionals. |
| Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: Blue Peace Central Asia 1.0 (2017-2025) results: diplomatic dialogue with a Swiss Special Envoy on Water for Central Asia; community of practice on transboundary water management with Central Asia experts; annual hydro-diplomacy reports; support to inter-ministerial working groups; key studies and good practices on shared benefit approach; demonstration pilot of a transboundary hydropost between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; support to the Central Asia Youth for Water network; youth engagement in water and climate change dialogue at the global, regional and national levels; curricula development in collaboration with Swiss academia; support to the Network of Academic Society; scholarships for integrated water resources management for Masters students across the region. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Swiss Water, Infrastructure and Climate Change Portfolio in Central Asia; Blue Peace Global/Middle East/Financing, Geneva Water Hub, International Secretariat for Water, UNECE, UN SPECA. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 9’850’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 744’664 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 270’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 19’670’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.10.2022 - 30.09.2029 (Current phase) |
