Blue Peace Central Asia
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Water is the lifeline of Central Asia. Through the Blue Peace initiative, we are working to transform shared water resources from a source of tension into a foundation for cooperation, stability, and sustainable development across the region.
By bringing together governments, communities, and experts, Blue Peace Central Asia fosters dialogue and builds trust—ensuring that water governance serves current and future generations while respecting the ecological balance of this vital landscape.
We collaborate with international organizations and institutions to drive sustainable water management across Central Asia.
Establishing shared standards and real-time monitoring networks to safeguard water quality across Central Asia's transboundary river basins.
The programme deploys sensor networks along the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river systems, trains local technicians in data collection and analysis, and publishes open-access water quality dashboards to build transparency and public trust across all five riparian states.
Building adaptive capacity for glacial retreat, shifting precipitation, and extreme weather events threatening water security.
Initiatives include glacier monitoring partnerships, climate-smart irrigation pilots in the Fergana Valley, early-warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods, and policy dialogues on aligning national adaptation plans with shared watershed realities.
Strengthening institutions and legal frameworks for cooperative management of shared water resources across borders.
Blue Peace supports inter-state water commissions, facilitates ministerial-level roundtables, and provides legal and technical assistance for updating bilateral and multilateral water-sharing agreements to reflect contemporary hydrological and demographic realities.
Investing in the next generation of water professionals and diplomats through training, exchanges, and research programmes.
Programmes include the Blue Peace Youth Network connecting over 500 young professionals across five countries, summer schools on hydro-diplomacy, university research grants, and mentorship with senior water negotiators to ensure continuity and innovation in water governance.
Blue Peace Central Asia brings together governments, civil society, and communities to transform shared water resources from a source of tension into an engine for cooperation, sustainable development, and lasting peace across the region.
Promoting fair access to shared water resources so that all nations and communities benefit equitably from transboundary cooperation.
Encouraging confidence among riparian states through open data sharing, joint monitoring, and honest dialogue on water challenges.
Supporting flexible frameworks that help communities and institutions adapt to climate variability, shifting demands, and emerging risks.
Emphasizing water's interconnection with energy, agriculture, and ecosystems to drive holistic policy-making across sectors and borders.
Advancing regional ownership by amplifying the voices of youth, women, and local communities in water governance decisions.
Central Asia's five republics share the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins — lifelines for over 80 million people. Decades of Soviet-era infrastructure and post-independence competition have left water governance fragmented, ecosystems degraded, and communities vulnerable to scarcity.
Climate change is accelerating glacier melt and altering precipitation patterns, threatening agricultural livelihoods and energy security. Without cooperative management, water stress could intensify regional tensions — but with dialogue and shared stewardship, it can become a catalyst for peace.
Switzerland pioneers hydrodiplomacy as a pillar of foreign policy, establishing the Blue Peace framework.
Blue Peace Central Asia launches its first phase, engaging all five republics in structured water dialogue.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan establish a bilateral working group on shared water resources management.
Regional Working Group on Water Quality expands to include all five Central Asian states.
A new chapter begins with expanded scope, deeper community engagement, and climate-resilient strategies.