On November 26-27, in Bishkek, representatives of the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan will discuss the effective management of transboundary water resources in small rivers in the region. The event is organized by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia and USAID, kabar.kg reports.
The event will bring together representatives of the Small Basin Councils, relevant ministries and departments of the region, as well as international organizations and projects.
The main objectives of the forum are the development of transboundary cooperation of the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as promotion of the institute of basin councils as a tool for joint decision-making at the local level in small river basins.
There are more than 200 small transboundary rivers in the region where a number of problematic issues that impede the efficient use of water are noted: deterioration of infrastructure, lack of water accounting, use of outdated technologies and other challenges.
The task of the Small Basin Councils is to involve all groups of water users (civil society, farmers, producers and hydropower producers) to address these issues.
The forum participants will discuss the development of the institute of small basin councils in the region, attracting business and donor agencies, as well as increasing public attention to the challenges in the basins of small rivers in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Special attention will be paid to innovative methods of water resources management and the introduction of a scientific approach to the work of basin councils. Presentations on transboundary communication experience of local communities, on drip irrigation, water accounting systems, GIS mapping and computer forecasting of river flow are awaiting the participants.