REGIONAL PROCESS SESSION DESCRIPTION FORM 2.
10TH WORLD WATER FORUM
This Regional Session Description Form 2 is for the specified program of the session. Please
complete this form no later than 30th of April 2024 ﴾CET time﴿.
*The Regional session description 1 (online form) is separately requested for the Regional session
coordinators to deliver a concise session outline with the contact info and the logistical requests.
Regional Session Code and Title:
RP8, Transboundary Water Cooperation in the Aral Sea basin for a better Future

Regional Session Coordinators (Name, Position, Organization, email, mobile number):
1. Mr.Serik Bekmagambetov, Official Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the International Fundfor Saving the Aral Sea, serik.ifas@gmail.com, +7
2. Ms. Zhanar Mautanova, Director of the International Water Assessment Center, zh.mautanova@iwac.kz,+7 7022155757

Regional Session Description including objectives and expected outcomes (500 words maximum):Water is crucial for the sustainable development of five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In mountainous countries, hydropower is a vitalenergy resource, while for downstream countries, river water serves as a source for irrigated agriculture.
Intensive water uses in Central Asia threatens the water supply for the population, which, according to
the World Bank, exceeds 78 million people. By 2050, the number may reach 90-100 million people, andwater scarcity is projected to increase up to 25-30%. At the same time, the demand for water resources
used for irrigation agriculture may increase up to 30% by 2030.
The pressure on the region's water resources related to the demand for economic growth of countries
is increasing due to climate change. Central Asia, being in the arid climate zone, is most vulnerable tothe effects of climate change. Currently, there is a steady increase in the average annual air temperature
and, according to some expert forecasts, it may increase by 2.5-6.5 °C by the end of the XXI century.
The impact of climate on water resources in Central Asian countries has already become serious.
Changes in the hydrological regime and related droughts, floods, reduced precipitation, and otherclimatic phenomena have led to a significant water crisis.
All these factors combined can limit the economic development of countries and cause social instability
in the region. In these circumstances, the development of a long-term joint vision for the use of waterresources, considering all climate risks, is a strategically important task. Responding to climate change
and managing water resources requires cooperation and the mobilization of collective efforts.
The sub-regional session "Transboundary Water Cooperation in the Aral Sea Basin for a better future"is organized to assist countries in developing common approaches to the use of water resources in theAral Basin and concrete actions aimed at implementing the priorities of the basin.
Goal of the session is to assist the Central Asian countries in building a common vision for sharing
and protecting water resources in a changing climate. The session will facilitate:

- discussion of climate risks for the region's water sector, obstacles, and barriers to the implementationof joint measures.
- identification of regional priorities for the Aral Sea basin and specific actions for their implementation.
- intensifying exchange of experience, knowledge, and ideas on improving water infrastructure
resilience to negative climate impacts, introducing innovations and technologies, mobilizing financing
for transboundary water cooperation, etc.
Expected outcomes of the session:- Exchange of knowledge and experience among the participants for better understanding of theproblems of increasing water resources resilience to climate change in Central Asia.
- Elaboration of concrete recommendations and measures to strengthen co-operation of the basincountries on shared use and protection of water resources.
- Promotion of a common vision on the use and protection of water resources and harmonizedmanagement of water resources in the basin.

Detailed Regional Session Plan:
ESTIMATEDTIMING

13:00-13:05

ITEM DESCRIPTION / ROLE

Welcome speeches

SPEAKERSSPEAKERSSTATUS(OK ORTBC)

Ms. Zulfiya Suleimenova, Advisor tothe President - Special Representativeof the President of the Republic ofKazakhstan
onInternational
Environmental Issues

Tbc

Mr. Abdulkhamid Azad, Leading
Specialist on Water Resources

Ok

13:05-13:20

Keynote Speech:
Cooperation in the Aral Sea
Basin: Progress andAchievements, Problems andProspects of Cooperation in a
Changing Climate

Mr Askhat Orazbay, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of theInternational Fund for Saving the Aral
SeaOk

13:20-13:55

Panel discussion 1
Questions: What joint measuresneed to be taken to reduce
disaster risks associated withnegative climate impacts onwater resources in the basin?
How to ensure and strengthen
regional cooperation to enhance
the resilience of the basin's
water resources to climatechange?

Mr Bolat Bekniyaz, First Vice-Ministerof Water Resources and Irrigation of
the Republic of Kazakhstan

Ok

Mr Almazbek Sokeev, Deputy Ministerof Water Resources, Agriculture andProcessing Industry - Director of theWater Resources Service of theKyrgyz Republic
Mr Jamshed Shoimzoda, First Deputy
Minister of Energy and Water

OkResources
TajikistanoftheRepublicofMr Durdy Genjiev, Chairman of theState
Water
CommitteeofTurkmenistan
Mr Shavkat Khamraev, Minister ofWater Resources of the Republic ofUzbekistan
13:55-14:25

Panel discussion 2
Questions: What solutions canincrease resilience to climatechange impacts on water
resources in the Aral Sea
Basin? How to improveplanning of joint adaptation
measures? How to attract andincrease climate finance forjoint measures to improve theresilience of water resources inthe Aral Sea Basin?

World Bank: Mr. Abdulkhamid Azad,
Leading Specialist on Water
Resources and Mr. Aleix Serrat
Capdevila Chief Specialist on Water
Resources & Coordinator of Water
component of the CAWEP-4 Program

Ok

Tbc
Ok

Ok

ADB: Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi, Director of
Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural
Development Sector GroupUNECE: Mr. Marco Keiner, Director ofEnvironment Division

Ok- OECD- GIZ- USAID
14:25-14:30

Wrap up and closure

Mr Askhat Orazbay, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of theInternational Fund for Saving the Aral
SeaOk