Vision 

 

The collegial path connecting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan is reinforced through the effective mechanism of the ISTC platform. This initiative is bolstered by comprehensive financial support from the European Commission, ensuring collaboration and mutual growth among partner countries. Together, we are forging stronger ties and fostering innovation in the region.

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The "Central Asia Water Resources Monitoring System" is a critical component of the overarching Remediation Programme for Central Asia. Its objective is to enhance the capabilities partner countries in monitoring uranium legacy sites and evaluating their impacts on both national and transboundary river catchments. This initiative is closely to various ongoing and planned national and regional water cooperation projects, involving key partners such as the EU, EU Member States, GIZ, UNECE, UNE, CAREC, SECU, the World Bank, EBRD, and the Regional ESTH Hub for Central Asia, based at the U.S. Embassy, alongside ISTC.

 

Context

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​There is a thorough understanding of the distinct challenges related to uranium legacy sites in Central, which link the affected countries and highlight the common hazardous legacy they inherited after gaining independence. This shared recognition confirms that no single country can be held solely responsible for these sites. As a result, involved parties have agreed on the need to establish a regional water monitoring system that focuses on uranium legacy sites, enabling transboundary data exchange and an emergency information system for the.

The project aims to establish a comprehensive system for monitoring radiological and chemical contaminants. This system will keep authorities and relevant stakeholders consistently informed about the status of legacy sites the quality of affected water resources concerning radioactive and chemical contamination, including heavy metals. By delivering timely information and integrating early warning features the project will facilitate the implementation of necessary measures based on reliable data and evidence, ensuring the protection of the environment and public health effectively managing any potential emergencies associated with uranium legacy sites.

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Objectives and anticipated outcomes

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The project will combine mitigation of risks related to CBRN safety and security, climate change issues, and severe environmental security consequences, such as:

-contamination of major strategic, transboundary rivers due to melting

1. glaciers;

2. landslides;

3. and dam and reservoir failures, resulting in dramatic 

• mass migration of refugees with border;

• health

• and broader humanitarian problems as well as 

• potential conflicts in the region.​

This project is poised to effectively address:

1. global, and

2. regional threats to peace and security by enhancing governance and cooperation in the prevention, detection, and mitigation of CBRN risks. It will significantly improve the identification and management of these risks while fostering a safety culture in science and engineering.

Furthermore, it will strengthen resilience and promote lasting peace in the face of climate and environmental risks that may lead to conflict.

By equipping decision-makers with advanced scientific tools, the project will enable them to accurately assess the cascading effects of climate change, ultimately resulting in better climate adaptation policies.

A). These objectives will be accomplished by bolstering regional capacity in water monitoring systems and laboratory capabilities related to uranium legacy sites.

B). A dedicated early warning system will facilitate efficient data sharing during catastrophic events, activating effective disaster risk management processes.

C). The project is committed to deploying modern laboratory equipment to support these essential initiatives.

D). The project aims to address risks associated with CBRN safety and security, climate change, and important environmental security. This includes the contamination of key transboundary rivers caused by melting glaciers,lides, and failures of dams and reservoirs. These conditions may result in significant refugee migrations, creating border, health, and humanitarian challenges, as well as the potential for conflicts in the region.