Section 6
United Nations and its specialized agencies
6.9. World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was established in 1950. It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans.
WMO Activities in 2021
The following events were organized in 2021: (1) a webinar on COVID-19, air quality and meteorological factor (January 12); (2) virtual session of WMO’s Executive Council, to discuss a major update to WMO’s data policy, closing the gap in the global observing system and a plan of action for hydrology (June 14-25); (3) the World Meteorological Congress, as a result of which the three initiatives were endorsed - WMO Unified Data Policy, the Global Basic Observing Network, and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (October 11-22).
WMO spearheaded the new Water and Climate Coalition – a voluntary effort to close the information gap in the water, food and energy nexus and tackle the growing water and climate-related impacts. The Coalition supports the implementation of the UN Water Action Decade through the UN-Water Global Accelerator Framework for SDG 6 with a concrete action mechanism.
Projects in CA and Afghanistan. Continued: (1) Afghanistan Early Warning System Project (US $2.4 million); (2) Afghanistan: Hydromet & Early Warning Services for Resilience (US $3.7 million); (3) Uzbekistan Climate Data Restoration Project.
Publications. WMO Bulletin Vol. 70 (1) - The Ocean, Our Climate and Weather and Vol. 70 (2) WMO Unified Data Policy; WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin; report United In Science 2021; report The State of Climate Services 2021: Water. Other publications – on library.wmo.int/.
Source: WMO
6.10. International Fund for Agricultural Development
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a multilateral financial institution established in 1977. It mobilizes resources to eliminate malnutrition and improve agricultural productivity and incomes for rural poor in developing countries.
It provides direct financing in the form of loans and grants, attracts additional resources to implement projects and programs. Currently it has a number of ongoing projects in Central Asia.
IFAD Activities in 2021
Kyrgyzstan
Since 1996, IFAD has invested US $97.8 million in rural development in Kyrgyzstan. IFAD activities in the Republic are based on the Kyrgyz Republic Country strategic opportunities programme 2018-2022. The goal is to support inclusive rural transformation that enables smallholders to reduce poverty and strengthen livelihood resilience. This goal will be achieved through two interrelated strategic objectives: (1) increase smallholders’ equitable and sustainable returns through the improvement of services and development of livestock product value chains that enable rural producers to capitalize on market opportunities; and (2) enhance smallholders’ resilience to climate change through the implementation of innovative approaches that strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable incomes from diversified livelihoods systems.
The implementation of the Access to Markets Project continued. A new Regional Resilient Pastoral Communities Project was approved for 2021-2027. The Project will reduce rural poverty and food insecurity in Kyrgyzstan by increasing resilience, income, and economic growth in farming communities. The nationwide project is expected to reach at least 557,000 rural households.
Tajikistan
IFAD has been investing in the rural poor in Tajikistan since 2008, by strengthening local institutions and grassroots organizations, and expanding their access to land, productive technologies and resources. Key activities include: natural resource management; implementing land reforms; strengthening local institutions and grass-roots organizations.
The Community-Based Agricultural Support Project continued in 2021. A new Community-Based Agricultural Support Project 'plus' was approved for the period of 2021-2028. IFAD financing will amount to US $13.5 million.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan joined to IFAD in 2011. Since 2014, IFAD has been financing three investment projects totaling more than US $ 435.3 million (IFAD’s contribution - US $ 128.7 million) and directly targeting about 105,000 rural families. IFAD projects work to enable sustainable income growth for rural people through viable small-scale agricultural production and rural enterprise systems, with a specific focus on dekhan farmers, rural women and youth.
Implementation of Dairy Value Chains Development Program and Agriculture Diversification and Modernization Project continued in 2021. It was decided also in 2021 to open a representative office of IFAS in Tashkent.
Source: IFAD
6.11. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It coordinates international cooperation in these areas. Established in 1945, it includes 193 member-states.
UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the SDGs defined in the Agenda 2030. Key areas of activity include the following five program sectors: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information.
UNESCO Activities in 2021
UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty
Project Activities. Under the “Governance of Groundwater Resources in Transboundary Aquifers” project, funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by UNESCO, the Almaty Office (1) supported participation of experts on the modeling of Pretashkent Transboundary Aquifer to take part in the 48th IAH Congress "Inspiring Groundwater". Project experts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan made a presentation on the "Regional groundwater systems and transboundary aquifers", based on the preliminary results of the numerical modeling for the Pretashkent Transboundary Aquifer (Brussels, September 6-10); (2) organized a technical working group meeting to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan experts on groundwater and discuss the joint model of Pretashkent Transboundary Aquifer and its finalization (Tashkent, November 17); (3) organized a workshop on groundwater governance at the TIIAME aiming at students and young professionals in groundwater (Tashkent, November 18-19).
Conducted assessments (1) of the current state of groundwater-related higher educational programs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The assessment identifies gaps, needs, and challenges professionals in this field face in the educational system, and assesses the linkages between the requirements of the employees and current educational programs; (2) on the status of cooperation on transboundary aquifers (with focus on groundwater) in Central Asia. The assessment provides with recommendations from experts on facilitation of countries’ collaboration and strengthening the capacities in groundwater management; (3) of water management in Batken Region for more data on water from the perspective of water availability and management, and focusing on groundwater. The assessment proposes novel potential measures focusing on groundwater in the region, as the mechanism for reducing tensions on water issues.
Events. The Almaty Office (1) in cooperation with Center for Sustainable Development, CARAWAN network and SIWI, organized a workshop for Central Asian countries’ experts in preparation of NDCs to the Paris Agreement, in order to build capacities on how to better mainstream water related issues and climate change in the context of the NDCs (September 14-15); (2) co-organized workshop on “Water resources management and climate security in Central Asia”, in order to train the future decision makers on legislative aspects of water resources management, with a special focus on groundwater governance and demonstration of best practices in climate change adaptation measures (September 27-29); (3) organized a training workshop to develop capacities of experts working in the government organizations and scientific institutions in Central Asia, for effective use of modern remote sensing approaches for precipitation estimation (September 27-30); (4) conducted a meeting for teachers with a purpose to present the preliminary results of educational modules developed in cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Development for middle school students on water resources and its importance in combating Covid-19, and consult with teachers on how to further elaborate them (December 9); (5) organized a roundtable with the representatives of UNESCO Water Family in Central Asia: national committees of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme of UNESCO (UNESCO-IHP), UNESCO Chairs on water, the regional and international centers in water under the auspices UNESCO, with the aim to facilitate discussion and propose an action for cooperation under the new IHP Strategy 2022-2030 (December 10).
UNESCO Office in Tashkent
Assessment of water education in higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan. The survey conducted in HEIs showed that the number of water-related educational programs had increased twofold, and the number of graduating students per 100,000 dwellers had grown from 2 (one professional per 48,878 people) in 2016 to 3.4 (one professional per 29,090 people) in 2021. The results were analyzed additionally to get insight into quality of the education and find duplications in order to improve the educational programs based on market demands.
SIC ICWC has started work on the review of water security in Uzbekistan. This is the first quantitative and qualitative assessment of water management at the level of administrative territories. First, a model for the water security concept will be developed and then assessment will be conducted for Khorezm province.
Source: UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, UNESCO Office in Tashkent, SIC ICWC
6.12. Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945. Nutrition, climate change, gender equality, social protection, and decent rural employment are cross-cutting issues of FAO activity in the Central Asian region.
FAO Activities in CA States in 2021
Kazakhstan
Agriculture. Ongoing projects: (1) “Elaboration of the State Program 2022-2026 (including the Concept) of Agro-Industrial Development” (2020-2022, US $370,000); (2) “Supporting investments in smallholders inclusive agrifood value chain development in Kazakhstan” (2020-2022, US $474,429).
Planned projects: (1) “Promoting the development of land market and supporting the development of small family farms” (2022-2023, US $275,000); (2) “Technical support to the development of an International Agri-food Hub” (2022, US $95,000); (3) “Preparation of GCF project CN on sustainable and CC resilient development” (2022, US $60,000).
Kyrgyzstan
FAO’s assistance in Kyrgyzstan is shaped by the 2018-2022 FAO’s CPF.
Agriculture and food. Ongoing projects: (1) “Support for development of sustainable value chains for climate-smart agriculture” (2021-2023, US $350,000); (2) “Promoting accelerated green investment in agriculture through capacity building of national financial institutions” (2021-2023, US $300,000); (3) “Assessment and improvement of institutional capacities on food control, food safety management systems and international standards” (2021-2022, US $75,000); (4) “Enhancing capacity for food safety management in the Kyrgyz fruit and vegetable industry” (2020-2022, US $570,000); (5) “Supporting the implementation of organic agriculture policies and increasing the capacities of farmers in the Kyrgyz Republic - Component 1: Support to establish the legal and institutional framework for organic farming in the Kyrgyz Republic” (2019-2022, US $500,000).
Tajikistan
FAO’s assistance in Tajikistan is shaped by the 2019-2021 FAO’s CPF.
Agriculture and fisheries. Ongoing projects: (1) “Support of warm-water fishery sector” (2021-2022, US $95,000); (2) “Introduce innovative approaches for adopting best technologies for apricot production in Sughd” (2021-2022, US $92,000); (3) “Provision of Technical Assistance on E-agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture” (2021-2022, US $90,000); (4) “Agrobiodiversity conservation for food security and livelihood improvement” (2021-2022, US $91,000); (5) “Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Systems and Food Security” (2020-2022, US $95,000); (6) “Support to improve sustainable potato production and management” (2020-2022, US $95,000); (7) “Enabling market access for Tajik agricultural products through improved food safety systems” (2018-2022, USA $197,000).
Turkmenistan
The Country Programming Framework – a document framing the partnership for the period 2021–2025 was signed in December. FAO is ready to support Turkmenistan in three areas: (1) collecting and analyzing data related, among others, to SDGs; (2) contributing to a more productive, effective, and digital agriculture sector with an increased export potential; and, (3) helping disaster prevention and response, as well as sustainable management of natural resources.
An Agreement was signed between FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey on the provision of services for the development of a national strategy of Turkmenistan to improve production and mechanization of cotton picking.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia Viorel Gutsu discussed a draft agreement on the opening of FAO’s representative office in Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan
The FAO–Uzbekistan Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2021–2025 was officially launched. The framework agreement foresees the transformation of the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products originating from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries towards more sustainability, taking into consideration the wider economic, social, and natural environment. The total resource budget for implementation of the CPF is expected to be approximately USD 17 million.
Agriculture and natural resource management. Ongoing projects: (1) “Recovery and development of the potato sector in response to COVID-19” (2021-2023, US $195,000); (2) “Strengthening sustainable food systems through geographical indications” (2021-2022, US $250,000); (3) “Rice Crop Production and Management Support” (2020-2022, US $100,000); (4) “Support in implementation of inclusive agricultural policies” (2020-2022, US $100,000.
A new FAO four-year project “Smart farming for the future generation” was launched. The project with the total budget of US $3.4 million will be implemented in Uzbekistan and Vietnam. In Uzbekistan, 3 demonstration plots will be organized for development of capacity, provision of opportunities in agribusiness and technical support.
Under the regional project “Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt affected agricultural production systems in Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2), a new laboratory for GIS was opened at the TSAU. The laboratory will serve as a tool for monitoring land use changes, mapping land degradation trends in Uzbekistan and will facilitate the implementation of the projects on land degradation neutrality (LDN).
Forest management. Ongoing projects: (1) “Sustainable management of forests in Mountain and Valley areas in Uzbekistan” (2018-2025, US $3.2 million).
Aral Sea. Continued project “Unleashing young people`s and vulnerable citizens` creativity and innovation of the Aral Sea region” (2020-2023, US $180,000).
FAO at the regional level
In 2021, the following projects were continued:
• Developing capacity for strengthening food security and nutrition in Caucasus and Central Asia;
• Programme to improve national and regional locust management in Caucasus and Central Asia in order to safeguard rural population food security and livelihoods. The following events were held in 2021: (1) e-training on locust monitoring and information management, including on automated system for data collection (ASDC) and Caucasus and Central Asia locust monitoring (CCALM) system (May); (2) online technical workshop on locusts in CCA, which addressed such matters as implementation of work program in 2021 and the work plan for 2022, CCALM, and risk reduction of locust control operations (November 23-25); (3) second regional workshop on locust data collection, analysis, forecast and reporting in CCA. The workshop allowed discussing a number of topics, including: the use of ASDC during the 2020 locust campaign; the use of GIS that can be complemented by QGIS as additional instrument for analysis of data from different sources (March 16-18); (4) the second Project Steering Committee, which approved the 2022 locust campaign (December 7);
• Integrated natural resources management in drought-phone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey (CACILM-2). The extraordinary Regional Project Steering Committee decided to extend the project till November 2024. Crop growers and livestock breeders in Turkmenistan took part in the workshops of the Farmer Field School in October;
• Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian Countries and Turkey, with the GEF support;
• Strengthening regional collaboration and national capacities for management of wheat rust diseases and resistance breeding in Central Asia and the Caucasus;
• Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI). The FAO Farmer Field School (FFS) concept continued to be developed in Uzbekistan. The following events were organized: (1) a series of FFS sessions on improved crop production on two pilot sites in Uzbekistan (January); (2) a workshop on income-generating activities for rural women of Bukhara and Navoi provinces (October 26); (3) First International Conference on Cold Winter Deserts. Researchers and experts presented their papers on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, ecosystem services, food security, and water use in cold winter deserts in CA (December 2-3).
Source: FAO
The International Law Committee (ILC) is a subsidiary body of UNGA, consisting of thirty four members of recognized competence in international law who sit in their individual capacity and not as representatives of their Governments. The task of ILC is encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification. It was established in 1947. The Commission has no representatives of the Central Asian states in its composition.
During the seventy-session of ILC in 2021, reports were presented on the following topics: protection of the atmosphere, provisional application of treaties, immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction, succession of States in respect of State responsibility, general principles of law, etc.
The Commission had before it the sixth report of the Special Rapporteur on the topic “Protection of the atmosphere” (A/CN.4/736), comments and observations received from Governments and international organizations (A/CN.4/735) on the draft preamble and guidelines, as adopted on first reading. The Commission adopted, on second reading, the entire set of draft guidelines on the protection of the atmosphere, comprising a draft preamble and 12 draft guidelines, together with commentaries to this set.
Source: ILC Report, 2021
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It was established in 1945. It delivers judicial and advisory functions. No judges from Central Asia sit in the International Court. Cases submitted to the Court involve a wide variety of subject matters: territorial and maritime disputes; consular rights; human rights; environmental damage and conservation of living resources; international responsibility and compensation for harm; the immunities of States, their representatives and assets; interpretation and application of international treaties and conventions. In 2020, the Court’s list of cases included only one case directly related to water – dispute over the status and use of the waters of the Silala (Chile v. Bolivia). For the nature of the case and proceedings, see the ICJ report.
Source: ICJ report at the 76th Session of UNGA, 2021
6.13. International Law Commission
6.14. International Court of Justice