Earth Observation for Resilient Water Management — A TJ2412 Milestone Led by Dr. Philippe Geffroy

Organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) within the framework of the project ‘‘TJ2412 – Assessment of Water and Land Resources in Small Transboundary Tributaries of the Syr Darya River Basin Using Earth Observation – Phase 3’’ June 17–19, 2025

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) successfully organized a comprehensive three-day training titled “Leveraging Earth Observation for Sustainable Water Resource Management,” attracting regional experts and stakeholders from across Central Asia.

Over three days, participants engaged in an intensive training focused on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) for water resource management.

Day 1 introduced core hydrological principles and EO datasets like GRACE and CHIRPS, with practical hands-on sessions using QGIS and Google Earth Engine to enhance water balance modeling in transboundary areas such as the Syr Darya Basin.

Day 2 showcased EO applications in agricultural water productivity and water quality monitoring. Presenters highlighted pilot project results from the Fergana Valley, demonstrating how EO supports fair water allocation and identifies irrigation efficiency, alongside methods for detecting water pollution in shared rivers.

Day 3 focused on integrating EO and ground data into decision support systems like Majisys and Delft-FEWS, equipping institutions to utilize real-time data for flood forecasting and collaborative water governance.

The training highlighted EO’s critical role in fostering transparent, efficient, and cooperative water resource management—advancing the objectives of the TJ2412 project. Participants lauded the interactive format and stressed the importance of continued capacity building in the region.