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. WHO celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023. ВМО отметила свое 150-летие.
Activities in 2023
76th session of WMO Executive Council session was held in Geneva on February 27-March 3. The session discussed the community resilience to extreme weather, climate and water-related events and considered an initiative on the creation of an international greenhouse gas monitoring infrastructure.
WMO has approved new top strategic priorities to guide it through the next four years, including: (1) enhancing preparedness and reducing loss of life, critical infrastructure and livelihood from hydrometeorological extremes; (2) supporting climate-smart decision-making to build or enhance adaptive capacity or resilience to climate risk; (3) enhancing socioeconomic value of weather, climate, hydrological and related environmental services.
WMO in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), The Netherlands Red Cross, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) has launched a new initiative "From satellites to sandbags: water at the heart of climate action" (September).
WMO publications. Report "2022 Year in Review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Potential Resources and Energy Demand" (jointly with IRENA), WMO Airborne Dust Bulletin. For other publications, please, see 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.
Activities in 2023
Kyrgyzstan
Since 1993, IFAD has invested US$ 129 million in rural development in Kyrgyzstan, including: assistance in reducing poverty and increase economic growth in pastoralist communities. In 2023, the IFAS country strategy and program evaluation was conducted. The main findings included: (1) IFAD's interventions in support of pasture management and veterinary services have been comprehensive, encompassing policy and legislative framework and field level; (2) interventions produced important results, including improved and more equal access to pastures (e.g. remote pastures), improved veterinary services and disease control; (3) interventions incorporated numerous innovations, mostly around pasture governance and private veterinary services (e.g. various practices and approaches relating to community-based pasture management, bringing in youth from disadvantaged households in areas lacking veterinarians on scholarship). However, pasture improvement and sustainable management received less attention than expansion of accessible pastures, a poverty focus was generally weak, an insufficient attention was paid to gender aspects and private sector involvement. Finally, it was recommended to strengthen the identified weaknesses.
The Access to Markets Project (2016-2024, IFAD contribution - $21.17 million) aimed to raise incomes and enhance economic growth in Kyrgyzstan's pastoralist communities continued in 2023.
IFAD allocated $31.28 million for farming communities development under the Regional Resilient Pastoral Communities Project ($65.22 million, 2021-2026). About 557,000 household are expected to benefit directly from the project.
Tajikistan
The total amount of IFAD funding in Tajikistan is $115.16 million. The organization's activities are based on the program titled "Strategic Opportunities of the Country for 2019-2024". The Program is aimed at reducing rural poverty and strengthening national food security in rural areas of Tajikistan. This is to be addressed under two strategic goals: (1) promoting inclusive agriculture-based economic growth in poor rural communities; and (2) increasing the resilience of smallholder producers to climate change.
The Community-based Agricultural Support Project 'plus' (2021-2030, IFAD contribution - $37.85 million) continued in 2023. The project aims to increase resilience of ecosystems and adaptation of livelihoods in rural areas affected by climate change, for an estimated 100,000 rural households (650,000 individuals) in 21 of the most climate vulnerable districts of the country.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan joined to IFAD in 2011. The total IFAD funding in Uzbekistan amounts to $166.5 million. IFAD in its activities in Uzbekistan is guided by the Country strategic opportunities programme 2023–2027, aimed to sustainably increase rural prosperity and improve livelihoods of small-scale producers. Three strategic objectives underpin the programme: (1) increased resilience and productivity of small-scale producers; (2) improved access for small-scale producers to viable food systems and agricultural markets; (3) enhanced enabling environment for inclusive rural transformation.
The Agriculture Diversification and Modernization Project (2017-2025, IFAD contribution - $93.5 million) is implemented in Andizhan, Fergana and Namangan provinces of Uzbekistan. Target groups include rural low-income households on Dekhan farms, small private horticulture and livestock farmers, and agribusinesses. Special attention is paid to ensure the participation of women-headed Dekhan and private farming households as well as rural youth.
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.
Activities in 2023
Events. At the UN 2023 Water Conference, UNESCO was a partner in 26 side events taking place in parallel to the official conference programme. These side events were organized by member states with various United Nations agencies and other stakeholders and contributed directly to the conference's outcomes through the following streams: (1) raising the profile of science through the support of a science-based global water assessment; (2) raising the profile of groundwater and cooperation; (3) filling the gap in capacity; (4) mainstreaming gender equality in water management, etc.
During the COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates UNESCO organized a series of events, in particular: (1) Cryosphere Changes Impacts and Adaptation in Central Asia: Case Studies from UNESCO Activities (December 5); (2) Towards the Implementation of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and Glacier Day, 2025 and beyond (December 5); (3) Scaling Up: Systems Approaches for Climate and Water Management, in partnership with ADB and WB (December 8).
Publications. (1) The 2023 United Nations World Water Development Report on Partnerships and Cooperation assesses the nature and role of partnerships and cooperation among stakeholders in water resources management and development and their role in accelerating progress towards water goals and targets. Report has been produced by UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme on behalf of UN-Water, a grouping of more than 30 United Nations agencies; (2) The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and Pacific: this three-volume, open-access book series introduces the complex links between water, energy, and food security in the three sub-regions of Central and South Asia, East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. By bringing together inputs from the world's leading thinkers, experts, practitioners and researchers, each volume explores some future scenarios and recommends approaches to best deal with future challenges; (3) River Culture. Life as a dance to the rhythm of the waters – a collection of interdisciplinary studies by more than 120 authors from river systems all over the world, exploring overarching issues on river management in the Anthropocene.
UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty
Projects. A new regional project "Strengthening the resilience of Central Asian countries by enabling regional cooperation to assess high altitude glacio-nival systems to develop integrated methods for sustainable development and adaptation to climate change" was launched in July 2023. The project aims to strengthen the adaptation capacity of five Central Asian countries to climate change impacts on the cryosphere through assessment, promotion of regional cooperation, and stakeholder engagement.
As part of the "Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in Central Asia from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate" (GLOFCA) Project, a Glacial Lake Inventory (GLI) toolbox for mapping and monitoring of glacial lakes in Central Asia was developed. The GLI toolbox offers the possibility to monitor temporal lake changes in an automated way, and the detected lake outlines can be exported as shape files. The toolbox was presented to the countries during a face-to-face training in Almaty in November 2022, followed by a series of webinars in May 2023. The training series gave national partners the opportunity to use the toolbox in practice.
Source: UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, UNESCO
6.12. Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945. FAO's work globally and in the Europe and Central Asia region is guided by the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031. FAO's Strategic Framework seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO Activities in CA States in 2023
The informal consultation for Europe and Central Asia provides a platform on which the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and Members can interact, facilitating consultation on key issues in the region. The main purpose of the informal consultation in 2023 is defining the FAO priorities for the Europe and Central Asia Region for 2024-2025, which will be presented for endorsement at the 34th Regional Conference for Europe (ERC) in 2024. The Consultation aims at facilitating an exchange of views among all Members of the Europe and Central Asia region considering also the challenges from the multiple crisis the region is facing.
Kazakhstan
Ongoing projects: (1) Elaboration of the 2022-2026 State Program (including the Concept) of Agro-Industrial Development ($370,000, 2020-2023); (2) Contribution to development and further scaling up of healthy nutrition ($465,000, 2023-2025); (3) Strengthening the Statistical System on Accounting for the Production of Agri-Food Products ($75,000, 2023-2024); (4) Kazakhstan Resilient Agroforestry and Rangeland Project ($1.9 million, 2023-2027); (5) Promoting the development of land market and supporting the development of small family farms ($275,000, 2022-2023); (6) Supporting investments in smallholders inclusive agrifood value chain development in Kazakhstan ($474,400, 2020-2023), during which a study tour was organized to Hungary to address the complex challenges faced by rural communities, smallholders, and family farmers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; the tour included participation in the third Regional Workshop on Integrated Community Development (June 6-8).
FAO Kazakhstan held an international seminar on the development of an international agri-food hub in Kazakhstan where representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the Ministry of Agriculture, QazTrade JSC, and industry experts from the Netherlands, America and Tanzania have participated. During the meeting, overall outcomes of case studies on agri-food hubs activities in Africa, the Netherlands and the USA were presented, conclusions and recommendations for Kazakhstan on the development of a cross-border agri-food hub based on international experience were discussed (December 26).
Kyrgyzstan
Ongoing projects: (1) Support for development of sustainable value chains for climate-smart agriculture ($ 350,000, 2021-2023); (2) Promoting accelerated green investment in agriculture through capacity building of national financial institutions ($ 300,000, 2021-2023); (3) Strengthening capacities of public and private sector for regulation, certification and marketing of organic products ($ 300,000, 2022-2024); (4) Support to revision of the Land Code and to development of agricultural land markets ($ 50,000, 2022-2023); (5) Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands ($30 million, 2022-2030); (6) Introduction and promotion of innovative approaches for adopting best technologies for horticulture ($175,000, 2023-2025).
Within the framework of the FAO project "Enhancing the Capacity for Food Safety Management in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic", trainings were conducted on food safety in the fruit and vegetable sector for entrepreneurs in the Osh, Batken, Jalal-Abad, Chu and Issyk-Kul province of Kyrgyzstan during three-months (Bishkek, July-September).
The training workshop was organized on food security issues, including food availability and quality, agricultural insurance, salt reduction, elimination of transfats, and other nutrition problems for Deputies and Employees of the Office of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic (Bishkek, December 1).
Tajikistan
Ongoing projects: (1) Support of warm-water fishery sector ($95,000, 2021-2023); (2) Introduce innovative approaches for adopting best technologies for apricot production in Sughd ($92,000, 2021-2023); (3) Provision of Technical Assistance on E-agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture" ($90,000, 2021-2023); (4) Support to export increase of agri-food products through green development and enhanced market access ($88,000, 2022-2024); (5) Strengthening capacity on promotion of conservation agriculture among farms at Romit Reserve ($33,000, 2022-2023); (6) Support to agricultural sector reform and improvement of the investment climate ($95,000, 2022-2023); (7) Cooperative development and strengthening of rural institutions under the Agrarian Reform Programme ($96,000, 2022-2023); (8) Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project ($2.4 million, 2022-2036); (9) Facilitating agrobiodiversity (ABD) conservation and sustainable use to promote food and nutritional resilience in Tajikistan ($1.7 million, 2022-2025); (10) Strengthening the capacity of the Republic of Tajikistan to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement ($1.8 million, 2023-2026).
A National Stakeholder Validation Workshop on the Formulation of a Strategic Roadmap for Food Loss and Waste Reduction was organized in Dushanbe on April 18. The workshop discussed and validated the strategic roadmap based on the participants' recommendations and the results of the FLW analysis.
FAO assisted in launching the national working group of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) to prepare a proposal to nominate Tajikistan areas for the GIAHS initiative.
Turkmenistan
Ongoing projects: (1) Development of aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity ($120,000, 2023-2025); (2) Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management ($100,000, 2023-2025); (3) Enhancing Capacities for Climate-Resilient Water Management ($150,000, 2023-2025); (4) Support to the establishment of digital Land Cadastre ($300,000, 2023-2024); (5) Improving the capacity of Turkmenistan to access climate finance through capacity building and strategic frameworks ($642,825, 2023-2025); (6) Strengthening the capacity of Turkmenistan to comply with the ETF under the Paris Agreement ($50,000, 2023-2024).
Experts from the FAO Geospatial Unit conducted three online training sessions on the use of remote sensing to aid in the identification and mapping of crops to enhance more accurate data collection and analysis, leading to improved decision-making and resource management. The sessions were attended by a mixed audience of specialists from the Land Resources Service, central and regional offices, representatives of the Turkmen Agricultural University S.A. Nyýazow, researchers, and land surveyors from the State Design Institute "Türkmenyertaslama" (June 7-9, online).
An ongoing FAO–GEF project on integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey established nurseries with drip irrigation systems in Dashoguz, developed a sustainable pasture management plan in Ahal and delivered equipment to combat drought and salinity in Nohur.
Uzbekistan
Ongoing projects: (1) Preparing the grounds for digital transformation of agriculture ($315,000, 2022-2023), within the framework of which, a National Digital Agriculture Program was developed; (2) Support to country program development on sustainable agriculture ($50,000, 2022-2023); (3) Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program ($6 million, 2022-2026,); (4) Capacity-building to establish an integrated and enhanced transparency framework in Uzbekistan to track the national climate actions and support measures received ($1.3 million, 2022-2025); (5) Multi-faceted response to the food and energy emergency in Uzbekistan ($80,000, 2022) (6) Support for development of the Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization Strategy ($140,000, 2023-2025); (7) Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals ($4.3 million, 2023-2027); (8) Sustainable forest and rangelands management in the dryland ecosystems of Uzbekistan ($3.8 million, 2022-2026); (9) Empowering youth towards a brighter future through green and innovative development of the Aral Sea region ($231,000, 2022-2023).
A workshop was organized as part of implementation of the regional project "Enhancing agricultural land market development to address land abandonment and improve land consolidation procedures" funded from the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP II). The event presented the findings and recommendations from a prepared assessment report and policy recommendations related to land administration, land market development and land reform in Uzbekistan (December 6).
The "Digital Villages Camp", a skill development program designed for young talents of the Fergana Valley has been launched in Uzbekistan. This innovative initiative aims to introduce participants to the fundamentals of internet of things (IoT) for smart farming, offering a unique learning experience tailored to individuals between the ages of 16 and 30. Out of 90 applicants, 25 promising individuals were selected. Over the course of five weeks of the camp, students will gain the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience required for programming IoT devices, leveraging open source solutions and devising smart solutions – sensors for greenhouses and homestead plots.
Source: FAO
6.13. International Law Commission
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 74th session of ILC in 2023, reports were presented on the following topics: succession of States in respect of State responsibility, general principles of law, sea-level rise in relation to international law, settlement of disputes to which international organizations are parties, prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea, and other issues.
On the subject of sea-level rise in relation to international law, ILC underlined the fundamental importance of the principle that "the land dominates the sea". It was noted that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allocated sovereign rights and maritime zones based on the size and form of their adjacent coastal territorial land. At the same time, some delegations considered that the application of the principle that "the land dominates the sea" in the context of sea-level rise was not absolute. It was noted that the right of peoples to self-determination was closely linked with sovereignty over natural resources; the importance of further exploring the issue of territories submerged owing to sea-level rise and, in particular, their legal status was stressed. In this context, the Commission looks forward to the Study Group's work on the subtopics of statehood and protection of persons affected by sea-level rise, as well as to the consolidated results of work on the topic in a final substantive report.
On the subject of prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea, the first report of the Special Rapporteur (A/CN.4/758) and the memorandum prepared by the Secretariat concerning the topic (A/CN.4/757) were presented. It was acknowledged that piracy and armed robbery at sea continued to pose serious threats to international maritime security. The potential for the work of the Commission to contribute to enhanced international cooperation with respect to the prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea was highlighted. Several delegations expressed support for the approach the Commission had taken toward the topic. A number of delegations agreed with the Commission that its work should not duplicate existing frameworks and academic studies but should rather aim at identifying new issues of common concern.
Source: 2023 ILC Report
6.14. International Court of Justice
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 2023, the Court's list of cases included two cases directly related to water disputes - the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros project (Hungary/Slovakia) and dispute over the status and use of the waters of the Silala (Chile v. Bolivia). For the nature of the case and proceedings on Gabcikovo-Nagymaros project (Hungary/Slovakia), see the ICJ report.
Obligations of states in respect of climate change: The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 77/276 requested the Court to give an advisory opinion proceeding from the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment and the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment on the following questions:
a) what are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations;
b) what are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to: (i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change? (ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?
By an order dated 20 April 2023, the President of the Court decided that the United Nations and its Member States were likely to be able to furnish information on the questions submitted to the Court for an advisory opinion. The Court subsequently authorized the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law, the European Union and the African Union to participate in the proceedings by presenting written statements on the questions submitted to the Court.
Source: Report of the International Court of Justice to the UNGA 78th Session, 2023, ICJ Press releases