Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 30 – 31 October 2024, a regional Conference, titled “EU – Central Asia Young Leaders` Conference: Shifting the Paradigm for Sustainable Water Action?” will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Conference is organised by the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia and the Nordic International University, in collaboration with the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Supporting the implementation of the European Union – Central Asia Roadmap on the important topics of water management and people-to-people contacts, the Conference will convene around 100 participants from the five Central Asia countries under the age of 35. Participants, including students, represent youth-led initiatives, civil society organisations, researchers, media, young politicians, as well as the government experts.

The Minister of Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Khamraev, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr. Kongratbay Sharipov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Zulfiya Suleimenova and the First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Jamshed Shoimzoda, will address the participants at the beginning of the event. The Conference will be attended by ambassadors from EU Member States, representatives from United Nations agencies and the World Health Organization, as well as OSCE representatives based in Uzbekistan. Representatives from EU Delegations in Central Asia will also take part in the Conference.

The EU – Central Asia Young Leaders` Conference will provide an opportunity to involve young Central Asian leaders in regional cooperation and promote their voices and engagement in moving forward the EU – Central Asia agenda, with particular focus on Sustainable Water Action. The Conference will, thus, enhance regional dialogue and partnership in Central Asia and across regions, as well as increase the EU`s public outreach and visibility, strengthening the understanding of the EU`s actions to promote climate resilience and water management.

The Conference will consist of an Opening, a High – Level Panel, and two thematic sessions on the EU – Central Asia cooperation on Sustainable Water Action and the role of young people in solving the Water Crisis in Central Asia. Additionally, the Conference will include several interactive workshops, during which participants will discuss water-related topics of mutual interests, such as water use efficiency and saving and water diplomacy. A field trip to the experimental field (Suvchilar Maktabi) of the National Research University “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers” will also take place, allowing participants to gain on-hands experience.

This unique Conference will serve as a platform for young leaders of Central Asia to voice their perspectives on water-related issues and will foster collaboration and exchange of ideas across multiple fields.