Section 1. 2024 Calendar of events
January
January 17 – Capacity-Building on the Nexus between Sustainable Trade, Water Management, Food Security, Trade Facilitation, and Circular Economy, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
January 17-19 – International Exhibition “Water India 2024”, New Delhi, India
January 18 – 31st Governing Council Meeting of Asian-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), online
January 17-20 – Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), Berlin, Germany
January 30-31 – Meeting of the Bureau to the Water Convention, Geneva, Switzerland
February
February 2 – World Wetlands Day
February 6 – South Asia Hydromet Forum IV- 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka
February 8-9 – 8th International Conference on Climate Change 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka
February 10 – Meeting of Central Asian states “Central Asia at Climate Change Negotiations: COP28 Outcomes and Plans for COP29”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
February 12-17 – 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
February 16-18 – 86th World Water Council Board of Governance’s Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey
February 20-22 – International Congress and Exhibition E-world Energy & Water 2024, Essen, Germany
February 21 – All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Role of Land Reclamation and Water Management in Ensuring Sustainable Agricultural Development”, Novocherkassk, Russia
February 22-24 – International Conference: Silk Road of Knowledge: Science meets Green Policy, Almaty, Kazakhstan
February 26-28 – 1st Middle East Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
February 26-27 – Global Workshop on Droughts in Transboundary Basins, Geneva, Switzerland
February 26-March 1 – 6th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), Nairobi, Kenya
February 28 – 14th Meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate, Geneva, Switzerland
March
March 3 – World Wildlife Day
March 3-6 – Сonference “Responsible Water Management and Circular Economy”, Uttarakhand, India
March 4-7 – WaterEX World Expo 2024, Mumbai, India
March 4-7 – Women in Water Diplomacy: Second Global Network Forum, Vienna, Austria
March 5-7 – 1st Arab Academic Water Summit, Rabat, Morocco
March 6-7 – International Scientific-Practical Conference “Sustainable Management of Water Resources - the Basis for Solving the Strategic Goal of Food Security in a Changing Climate”, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
March 7-8 – 17th meeting of the Implementation Committee of the Water Convention, Italy
March 12 – International Scientific and Theoretical Conference “Climate Change and Its Impact on the Economic and Social Development of Countries”, Khujand, Tajikistan
March 12-14 – Baku Water Week, Baku, Azerbaijan
March 12-14 – 19th International Exhibition on Agriculture /AgroWorld Uzbekistan 2024
March 13-14 – 8th Annual International Congress and Exhibition: Hydropower Central Asia and Caspian, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
March 14 - World Rivers Day
March 21 - International Day of Forests
March 22 - World Water Day
March 23 - World Meteorological Day
March 26 - Aral Sea Day
April
April 9-12 – 5th Global Food Security Conference, Leuven, Belgium
April 10-13 – 4th International Conference “Waters in Sensitive and Protected Areas”, Pula, Croatia
April 12 – 86th ICWC meeting, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
April 14-17 – Water Loss 2024, San Sebastian, Spain
April 14-22 – 2nd Central Asian Dust Conference (CADUC-2), Nukus, Uzbekistan
April 15-17 – Global Water Summit 2024, London
April 15-17 – Ecosperity Week 2024, Singapore
April 15-22 – 2nd International Conference “Environmental Progress in the Aral Sea Region”, Nukus, Uzbekistan
April 16-17 – 14th Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, Geneva, Switzerland
April 16-18 – World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE
April 17 – International Scientific-Practical Conference “Goodwill Ambassadors”, Nukus, Uzbekistan
April 22 – International Mother Earth Day
April 22-23 – International Scientific-Practical Conference “Environmental Impacts of the Desiccation of the Aral Sea”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
April 23-24 – UNECE Workshop on Increasing Capacities to Prevent, Prepare for and Respond to Accidental Water Pollution from Tailing Facilities, Bratislava, Slovakia
April 25-26 – Scientific-Practical Conference “Extending Water and Energy Cooperation between the Central Asian Countries”, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
April 27-29 – 4th Baghdad International Water Conference, Bagdad, Iraq
April 29 – International Conference “Water Resource Scarcity in Central Asia: Ways to Address Water Challenges at the Regional and International Levels”, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
May
May 6-7 – International Conference on Climate Change and Adaptation, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
May 9-10 – 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, New York, USA
May 14-15 – 3rd International Conference “Water Management in Changing Conditions”, Munich, Germany
May 14-15 – 7th International Energy Summit, St. Petersburg, Russia
May 17-20 – 18th IWA Conference on Sustainable Sludge Management, Beijing, China
May 18-25 – 10th World Water Forum, Bali, Indonesia
May 27-29 – Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2024), Almaty, Kazakhstan
May 27-30 – 15th International Conference on Hydroinformatics “From Nature to Digital Water: Challenges and Opportunities”, Beijing, China
May 30-June 1 – 14th International Drainage Workshop, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
June
June 3-5 – International Exhibition on Environmental Technology & Green Energy (ENVEX 2024), Seoul, South Korea
June 3-7 – Asia Clean Energy Forum 2024 / ACEF 2024, Manila, Philippines
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 5-6 – International Scientific Conference “Energy prospects, new technologies and environmental aspects of the development of hydrocarbon fields” (TESC-2024), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
June 8 – World Oceans Day
June 9-14 – 16th International Conference on Urban Drainage, Delft, the Netherlands
June 10 – 3rd Regional Forum of Basin Organizations, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
June 10-13 – 3rd International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
June 16-19 – European Young Water Professionals Conference YWP 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark
June 17 – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
June 18-20 – 8th Russian Water Congress and Exhibition VODEXPO 2024, Moscow, Russia
June 18-21 – International Conference on Wider-Uptake of Water Resource Recovery from Wastewater Treatment (ICWRR2024), Palermo, Italy
June 18-22 – Singapore International Water Week 2024, Singapore
June 19 – High-level Political Regional Dialogue “Building a Future with Clean Air in Central Asia”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
June 24-28 – 19th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies (LET2024), Essen, Germany
July
July 1-5 – CGIAR Science Week, Nairobi, Kenya July 3-5 – International Conference “Nature-Based Solutions for Water Security and Climate Adaptation”, Belgrade, Serbia July 8-17 – High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, New York, USA July 12 – International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms
August
August 1 – Earth Overshoot Day
August 7-10 – 1st Annual General Meeting and Scientific Symposium of the International Scientific Committee on Water and Heritage, Pune, India
August 11-15 – IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
August 12 – Caspian Sea Day
August 25-29 – World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden
September
September 1-7 – 9th Аsian Regional Irrigation and Drainage Conference and 75th IEC Meeting, Sydney, Australia
September 4 – Forum on Sustainable Use of Water Resources in Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
September 4-5 – 12th Meeting of the Working Group on the Institutional and Legal Improvement of IFAS, Astana, Kazakhstan
September 4-6 – 1st Islands Water Congress “Freshwater and Islands: Administration, Innovation, Collaboration”, Faroe Islands, Island
September 5-6 – International Forum “Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals of Landlocked Developing Countries”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
September 9-13 – The 14th Central Asian Leadership Program on Environment for Sustainable Development (CALP), Almaty, Kazakhstan
September 10-12 – International Exhibition of Technologies and Equipment for Water Treatment Supply and Disposal “ECWATECH”, Moscow, Russia
September 16-18 – Ecumene Global Forum, Moscow, Russia
September 17-20 – 8th India Water Week “Partnership and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management”, New Delhi, India
September 18-20 – 4th Eurasian Women's Forum, St. Petersburg, Russia
September 19 – World Cleanup Day
September 22-23 – Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow, New York, USA
September 23-27 – IWA conference “Water in Industry”, Nanjing, China
September 26 – World Environmental Health Day
September 28 – World Maritime Day
October
October 1-3 – Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2024), Dubai, UAE
October 7-9 – 12th INBO World General Assembly, Bordeaux, France
October 14-18 – 2nd World Food Forum, Rome, Italy
October 15 – International Day of Rural Women
October 16 – World Food Day
October 21-November 1 – UN Biodiversity Conference, Cali, Colombia
October 23-25 – 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention, Ljubljana, Slovenia
October 28 – International Scientific and Practical Conference “Water Challenges and Opportunities for Mutually Beneficial Water-Energy Cooperation among Central Asian Countries”, dedicated to the memory and 90th anniversary of the birth of the late Academician D. Mamatkanov (IV Mamatkanov Readings), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
November
November 6 – 87th ICWC Meeting, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
November 7-13 – International Week of Science and Peace
November 8 – Scientific-Practical Conference “Water in Central Asia: The Future in Cooperation”, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
November 10 – World Science Day for Peace and Development
November 11-22 – UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), Baku, Azerbaijan
November 12-14 – IWA Digital Water Summit, Bilbao, Spain
November 18-20 – HYDRO 2024 International Conference and Exhibition, Graz, Austria
November 22 – International Scientific and Practical Conference “Global Initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan – A Basis for Dialogue and Finding Solutions to Issues of Water Resource Protection and the Climate Agenda”, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
November 25 – 27th Session of the SPECA Working Group on Water, Energy, and Environment, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
November 26-27 – 2024 SPECA Economic Forum, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
November 28 – International Conference “Sustainable Energy for Environmental Protection – Reviewing International Best Practices”, Mary, Turkmenistan
November 29 – 3rd meeting of the Regional Working Group on the Implementation of the Regional Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation in Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
December
December 2-13 – 16th session of the UNCCD's Conference of the Parties (COP16), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
December 3 – One Water Summit, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
December 4 –2nd meeting of the Basin Dialogue in the Amu Darya River Basin, Urgench, Uzbekistan
December 4-5 – International Wind Energy Forum, Moscow, Russia
December 5 – World Soil Day
December 8-9 – International Climate Investment and Financing Conference, Guangzhou, China
December 8-12 – 2024 World Congress and Exhibition on Desalination, Abu Dhabi, UAE
December 9-10 – World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, Dubai, UAE
December 9-11 – International Soil and Water Forum 2024, Bangkok, Thailand
December 10 – 3rd meeting of the Regional Working Group on a mutually beneficial mechanism for water and energy cooperation in Central Asia, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
December 11 – International Mountain Day
December 12-13 – 13rd Meeting of the Working Group on Institutional and Legal Improvement of IFAS, Almaty, Kazakhstan
December 17 – Annual online event of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network
Major events in Central Asia
Meeting of Central Asian Countries “Central Asia at Climate Change Negotiations: COP28 Outcomes and Plans for COP29”, February 10, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The event was organized by CAREC in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University). The meeting was held as part of the “Dialogue of Central Asian countries on joint preparations for UNFCCC COP28”.
The meeting served to evaluate the results of Central Asia's participation in COP28 and showcase its achievements. Furthermore, it sought to strengthen regional climate collaboration and coordinate the implementation of the roadmap toward COP29.
The meeting convened heads of Central Asian environmental agencies, UNFCCC national coordinators, and representatives from Ministries of Foreign Affairs. They were joined by stakeholders from academia, NGOs, and youth organizations, alongside international partners and development agencies active in the climate sector.
3 sessions included: (1) the High-Level Session “Shaping Climate Policy in Central Asia”; (2) “The Role of International Partners in Building Sustainable Capacity in Central Asia”; (3) “The Role of NGOs and Youth in the Sustainable Development of Climate Policy in Central Asia”. The meeting also focused on establishing a regional group of Central Asian negotiators for UNFCCC sessions, aimed at elevating the region’s profile in global climate diplomacy. A key highlight of the event was the official inauguration of Central Asia’s first 'Green University.' The institution is dedicated to training high-level environmental specialists and serving as a regional hub for innovation, scientific research, and collaborative climate action.
Online International Conference “The Silk Road of Knowledge: Science Meets Green Policy”, February 22-24, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Organized by GKU with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office, the Conference aimed to bridge the gap between scientists, policymakers, and practitioners. It facilitated the exchange of expertise and capacity-building in IWRM, food security, infrastructure development, and energy efficiency in the context of climate change.
Ahead of the main event, an online youth session on 'Supporting Career Pathways in Green Professions' (December 12, 2023) focused on promoting green careers and fostering experience-sharing among the next generation of environmental leaders. A recording of the session is available on
The Conference programme included a panel discussion “How to bridge the gap between science, education, and political practice”, as well as 6 thematic sessions: (1) “Reviving the Aral Sea Restoration: innovations for sustainable progress”; (2) “Sustainable land management in Central Asia and carbon benefits”; (3) “Hydrogen production in Kazakhstan and Trans-Caspian hydrogen transportation”; (4) “Climate vulnerabilities in Central Asia: universities and policy mainstreaming”; (5) “GIS technologies and modelling approaches for more sustainable management of natural resources”; (6) “Nexus of shared resources management in the countries of Central Asia”.
The 6th Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2024) “Bridging Climate Goals with Action: Making Ambitions a Reality”, May 27-29, Almaty, Kazakhstan
The Conference aimed to analyze and enhance climate change adaptation initiatives in Central Asia, with a view to strengthening support for government- and community-led climate adaptation actions and reducing the adverse impacts of climate change. The event brought together over 1,000 participants, including representatives of relevant ministries, civil society, the scientific and academic community, youth, the private sector, media, and international organizations.
The Conference programme included 2 plenary sessions, 5 panel discussions (“Regional and National Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Policies”; “Climate Capacity, Innovation and Finance: Needs and Opportunities”; “The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Programme for the Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB): Achievements, Lessons Learned and Future Plans”; “Applying the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus to Address Climate Challenges in Central Asia”; “Central Asian Initiatives to Strengthen Regional Climate Cooperation”) and 15 parallel thematic sessions.
During the Conference, three memoranda of understanding were signed between CAREC and EC IFAS; CAREC and the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction; REC “Green Academy” and the University of Central Asia, aimed at joint efforts to promote the Concept of the Central Asian Green Tech Climate Hub.
On the margins of the Conference, the winner of the 2024 Dmitry Tereshkevich Youth Environmental Award was announced. Participants also took part in field visits to project sites under the World Bank-funded CAWEP, including the Nurgisa SPP, the Kapshagay HPP and the project area of the Big Almaty Canal.
In the lead-up to the Conference, Almaty hosted a series of related events, including the annual meeting and Steering Committee session of the SWITCH-Asia Programme (May 20-21) and the event “Towards a Regional Circular Economy for Central Asia” (May 22). In addition, a training workshop for content creators and journalists from Central Asian countries was organized to raise awareness of climate-related challenges.
In conclusion, participants adopted a final statement reaffirming their commitment to regional cooperation. Key priorities identified include the implementation of the Regional Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation, the preparation of ambitious NDCs for 2025, and the advancement of innovative mechanisms to accelerate the region's clean energy transition.
3rd International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 , June 10-13, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
The Conference was organized within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process and brought together more than 2,500 participants, including heads of state and government, representatives of international and regional organizations, financial institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector and the media. The conference sought to support the goals of the International Decade while reviewing progress made since the 2023 UN Water Conference. Specifically, it focused on the implementation of the Water Action Agenda, identifying both the challenges and the opportunities for fulfilling its commitments.
In the lead-up to the Conference, a number of events took place: (1) Women and Water Forum; (2) 3rd Regional Forum of Basin Organizations; (3) Parliamentarians’ Forum; (4) Glacier Forum; (5) Science and Technology Forum, at which the Community of Practice (CoP) was launched; (6) Central Asia Forum on Water and Climate Change; (7) Private Sector Forum; (8) Youth & Children's Water and Climate Forum; (9) African Water Forum “Reviewing Progress and Framing the Agenda for Post-2025 Africa Water Vision”. In addition, the Water and Glaciers Festival was organized (June 10).
The Conference programme included a plenary session, 5 interactive dialogues aligned with the dialogues of the 2023 UN Water Conference, a number of side events, as well as country overview tours, including visits to the Rogun and Nurek Hydropower Plants.
As an outcome of the Conference, the Dushanbe Declaration was adopted, calling to: (1) “protect human health and well-being by accelerating progress in the delivery of safely managed water supply and sanitation services and promoting improved hygiene, as well as by strengthening water management…”; (2) “deliver on the promise to leave no one behind…” by developing policies and strategies that prioritize universal and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene; (3) “promote resource efficiency and reuse as a standard across economic sectors…”; (4) “strengthen the implementation of integrated water resources management from source to sea and at all levels, and enhance climate resilience through integrated and inclusive planning and policymaking across all sectors…”; (5) “protect and restore ecosystems, including rivers, forests, peatlands, wetlands, lakes and aquifers, to safeguard human health and support climate change mitigation and adaptation…”, among other actions.
Within the framework of the Conference, an international exhibition “Rethinking the Value of Water” was held. The Exhibition sought to raise awareness of measures and progress in the implementation of the International Decade for Action, showcasing the outcomes of the 2023 UN Water Conference, strengthening cooperation, promoting innovative approaches to sustainable water management and facilitating business networking and partnerships.
International Scientific and Practical Conference “Water Challenges and Opportunities for Mutually Beneficial Water-Energy Cooperation in Central Asia”, dedicated to the memory and the 90th anniversary of the birth of Academician D. Mamatkanov (IV Mamatkanov Readings), October 28, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The Conference was organized by the Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the USAID Regional Water and Environment Project. The event brought together scientists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China and Kyrgyzstan, as well as representatives of government authorities, research institutes and higher education institutions.
Key discussion areas included: (1) effective mechanisms for expanding inter-basin dialogue and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the water-energy sector; (2) challenges in rational water allocation and use, alongside the automated management of surface water; (3) safety of hydraulic structures; (4) innovative methods for monitoring and refining assessments of water and energy resources in river basins; (5) addressing hazardous natural phenomena through monitoring and early warning of water-related disaster risks; (6) capacity-building and professional training in hydrology, glaciology, meteorology and hydrogeology.
The adopted Resolution emphasized several critical priorities: strengthening regional scientific platforms for water research, jointly adapting to glacier loss and climate change, and developing innovative forecasting tools. It further called for sustained monitoring of Central Asian water sources and ecosystems, enhanced knowledge-sharing among specialists, and a commitment to training and engaging young professionals in the field.
Scientific and Practical Conference “Water in Central Asia: The Future in Cooperation”, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of V.A. Dukhovniy (posthumously), N.K. Kipshakbaev, and the 80th anniversary of R.A. Giniyatullin, November 8, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The Conference was convened by decision of ICWC to foster an intergenerational dialogue between policymakers and experts. Its primary objective was to refine water management strategies through the water-energy-land nexus, while building a robust expert partnership to bridge the gap between science and policy in Central Asia.
Participants included ICWC members, alongside researchers and practitioners from academic, water management, and international organizations, young scientists from Central Asia, the Russian Federation, and Switzerland (attending virtually), as well as media representatives.
The Conference programme included a session in honor of celebrants and 4 thematic sessions: Water security in Central Asia in the context of climate change: challenges and opportunities; Sound water use, water conservation and ecosystem protection; Transboundary cooperation and water-food-energy-environment nexus; Information, education and science for water security and cooperation.
As a result of the Conference, the following recommendations were adopted: (1) to rename the SIC ICWC Regional Training Center in honor of V.A. Dukhovniy; (2) to continue developing initiatives aimed at preserving scientific heritage and transferring knowledge to future generations; (3) to reinforce joint water management mechanisms via regional platforms and elevate the strategic role of international organizations in this process; (4) to deploy innovative technologies within the water-energy nexus and expand regional adaptation programs, leveraging initiatives such as GIZ’s “Green Central Asia”; (5) to promote green technology adoption and modernize regulatory and legal frameworks to enhance water-use efficiency; (6) to establish (or restore) a unified educational platform for regional university collaboration and experience-sharing, while improving graduate employment tracking within the water sector; (7) to develop integrated information platforms for water resource analysis, ensuring more effective interstate cooperation and timely decision-making.
Ahead of the Conference, a call for papers was announced for young professionals on topics related to the Conference themes. Following the Conference, the official proceedings were published in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of V.A. Dukhovniy (posthumously) and N.K. Kipshakbaev, and the 80th anniversary of R.A. Giniyatullin, entitled “Water in Central Asia: the Future in Cooperation” (November 8, 2024).
International Conference “Sustainable Energy for Environmental Protection – Reviewing International Best Practices”, November 28, Mary, Turkmenistan
The Conference was organized by the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, the EU SECCA Project and the UNDP project “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza”. The event aimed to explore best practices in sustainable energy policy within the European Union and Central Asia, with a focus on accelerating renewable energy adoption and enhancing energy efficiency in Turkmenistan. The gathering brought together Turkmen ministry specialists, academics, and youth, alongside international experts from Kazakhstan, Georgia, Latvia, and Poland.
The Conference programme included two sessions – “Comprehensive Solutions for Sustainable Energy Development” and “Sustainable Energy – the Energy of the Future”. Discussions focused on the feasibility of bioenergy and biofuel production, alongside innovative green energy solutions proposed by national researchers. The event also featured a seminar “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia” and a scientific exhibition showcasing regional advancements.
Development and support
Scientific-Information Center ICWC