28 January 2013: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Tajikistan organized, together with the Ministry of Water Management and Land Reclamation of Tajikistan, a one-day workshop on common water management and environmental challenges in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The meeting aimed to help raise awareness of, and identify solutions to, pressing water management and environmental challenges in the two countries.

The meeting brought together around 70 participants from Tajikistan and Afghanistan representing foreign ministries, other relevant ministries and agencies dealing with water resources, agriculture, environmental protection and disaster management, as well as staff of embassies and international organizations active in water management and environment in Central Asia. Participants discussed water management, hydrological and ecological monitoring, disaster risk management, environmental degradation and climate change, with a special focus on the upper Amu-Darya river basin.

This meeting stems from a consultation with Tajikistan and international partners in 2011. It is part of the OSCE Office’s efforts to facilitate transboundary water cooperation mechanisms between Tajikistan and Afghanistan to address water management, environmental protection and energy security challenges at national and regional levels. [OSCE Press Release]