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.

Women in Water Diplomacy Network members at a Blue Peace Central Asia event
Regional water cooperation meeting in Central Asia
Water-quality laboratory training session
Our Network

Trusted by Leading Organizations

We collaborate with international organizations and institutions to drive sustainable water management across Central Asia.

Core Partners

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Blue Peace
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

Government Partners

Republic of Kazakhstan — Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
Kyrgyz Republic — Water Resources Service
Republic of Tajikistan — Ministry of Energy and Water Resources
Turkmenistan — State Committee for Water Management
Republic of Uzbekistan — Ministry of Water Resources
Scientific-Information Center of ICWC (SIC ICWC)

Partners & Collaborators

World Bank
GIZ
European Union
Geneva Water Hub
Central Asia Youth for Water
German-Kazakh University
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
UNESCO
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
ICWC IFAS
Our Focus Areas

Regional Priorities

Water Quality & Monitoring

Establishing shared standards and real-time monitoring networks to safeguard water quality across Central Asia's transboundary river basins.

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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.

Climate Resilience

Building adaptive capacity for glacial retreat, shifting precipitation, and extreme weather events threatening water security.

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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.

Transboundary Governance

Strengthening institutions and legal frameworks for cooperative management of shared water resources across borders.

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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.

Youth & Capacity Building

Investing in the next generation of water professionals and diplomats through training, exchanges, and research programmes.

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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.

Our Mission

Building Peace Through Water Cooperation

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.

Equity & Mutual Benefit

Promoting fair access to shared water resources so that all nations and communities benefit equitably from transboundary cooperation.

Trust & Transparency

Encouraging confidence among riparian states through open data sharing, joint monitoring, and honest dialogue on water challenges.

Resilience & Adaptability

Supporting flexible frameworks that help communities and institutions adapt to climate variability, shifting demands, and emerging risks.

Integrated Governance

Emphasizing water's interconnection with energy, agriculture, and ecosystems to drive holistic policy-making across sectors and borders.

Empowerment & Inclusion

Advancing regional ownership by amplifying the voices of youth, women, and local communities in water governance decisions.

Our Journey

From Vision to BPCA Phase 2

2010
2010

Blue Peace Initiative Launched

Switzerland pioneers hydrodiplomacy as a pillar of foreign policy, establishing the Blue Peace framework.

2017
2017

BPCA Phase 1 Begins

Blue Peace Central Asia launches its first phase, engaging all five republics in structured water dialogue.

2018
2018

KZ-UZ Joint Working Group

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan establish a bilateral working group on shared water resources management.

2022
2022

RWG-WQ Across 5 Nations

Regional Working Group on Water Quality expands to include all five Central Asian states.

2024
2024

Phase 2.0 Launched

A new chapter begins with expanded scope, deeper community engagement, and climate-resilient strategies.

BPCA 1.0

Key Achievements of Phase 1

Across diplomatic, operational, and academic tracks — what BPCA Phase 1 (2018–2024) made possible.

Diplomatic 2018

Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan Joint Working Group

Bilateral working group on water quality in the Syr Darya basin established to coordinate monitoring between the two countries.

Diplomatic 2018–2024

Regional Technical Dialogue Platform

Sustained convening at venues such as the Astana Economic Forum and CACCC, enabling institutional dialogue across riparian states.

Diplomatic 2018–2024

RWG-WQ Across Five Nations

Ongoing support for the Regional Working Group on Water Quality, bringing the relevant ministries of all five Central Asian states together.

Diplomatic 2018–2024

Study Tours to OMVS, Senegal

Central Asian delegations travelled to Senegal to learn from one of the world’s most established benefit-sharing river basin authorities.

Operational 2019–2024

Syr Darya JWG Meetings & Lab Exchanges

Six joint meetings, field visits, and harmonisation of monitoring methodologies between Kazakh and Uzbek laboratories.

Operational 2018–2024

Restored Hydrological Stations (TJ–UZ)

Key stations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan rehabilitated, with water accounting automated and an operational management system in place.

Operational 2018–2024

CICADA Glacier Monitoring

Partnership with the University of Fribourg for cryospheric monitoring and cross-border data exchange supporting river-flow forecasting.

Operational 2018–2024

SAPPHIRE Digital Hydrology

Integration of digital tools into hydrometeorological services across Central Asia in partnership with Hydrosolutions (Switzerland).

Academic 2018–2024

CoP4WASH University Lab Network

Five university laboratories established for drinking and wastewater quality, with updated guidance on hardness and salinity in Tajikistan.

Academic 2018–2024

IWRM Master’s Scholarships

Scholarships for the Integrated Water Resources Management programme at the Kazakh–German University, training the next generation of specialists.

Academic 2018–2024

Central Asian Academic Network

Support for the Central Asian Network of Academic Societies, strengthening cooperation among universities on water and energy management.

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