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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
The project in brief
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:  

  • 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. 


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
  • 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.


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)
  • 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

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Last update 30.04.2025