Section 6. United Nations and Its Specialized Agencies

6.5. UN-Water

In 2003, the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination established the inter-agency coordination mechanism UN-Water. It coordinates the efforts of UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues. Over 30 UN organizations carry out water and sanitation programs.

UN-Water Activities in 2025

The following events were held: (1) 41st (Rome, April 2-3) and 42nd (Geneva, September 30-October 1) meetings dedicated to the implementation of the new UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation, preparations for the UN Water Conference (December 2-4, 2026), updates on global campaigns, and strategic planning for the post-2030 water agenda; (2) 5th Annual Special Event on the Water Action Program for SDG 6 held during the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (New York, July 22).

Publications: (1) the latest edition of the UN world water development report “Mountains and glaciers: water towers” : it presents the current state of affairs, proposes measures to alleviate impacts of glacier changes and adapt to them, outlines recommendations for required changes, and highlights the need for substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emissions; (2) Improving monitoring of the means of implementation for water and sanitation: a strategic assessment of opportunities through 2030 and towards “post-2030”

Source: UN-Water

6.6. UN Economic Commission for Europe

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. Established in 1947, the UNECE’s main areas of work include environment, transport, statistics, sustainable energy, trade, wood products and forests, housing and land management, population, and economic cooperation and integration.

UNECE Water Convention and its Protocol on Water and Health and the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents

Events. Under the Water Convention, UNECE organized: (1) 37th (March 17-18) and 38th (Geneva, October 16-17) meetings of the Bureau; (2) 15th meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate (Geneva, March 21); (3) 18th meeting of the Implementation Committee (Geneva, April 7-8); (4) 8th meeting of the Inter-ministerial Coordinating Council of the National Policy Dialogue (NPD) in Kazakhstan (Astana, April 8); (5) 1st (April 24-25) and 2nd (Geneva, November 24-25) meetings of the Expert Group on Conjunctive Water Management in Transboundary Basins; (6) 1st (April 30), 2nd (September 5) and 3rd (October 13) meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Sustainable Financing; (7) global workshop on ecosystems conservation and restoration in transboundary basins (Geneva, June 16-17); (8) 9th meeting of the Task Force on the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus (Geneva, June 18); (9) 6th joint meeting of the Working Group on IWRM and the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment (Geneva, October 13-15); (10) regional kick-off consultation meeting on sustainable small hydropower development and environmental assessment in Central Asia (November 27); (11) Pan-Asia training on international water law (Bangkok, December 8-11).

As part of the Protocol on Water and Health, UNECE organized: (1) 33rd (January 30-31) and 34th (Geneva, May 15-16) meetings of the Bureau; (2) global workshop on climate change and drought issues (Geneva, March 19-20); (3) 15th meeting of the Working Group on Water and Health (Geneva, May 13-14); (4) 26th meeting of the Compliance Committee (Geneva, June 10-11); (5) 7th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (Budapest, November 5-7).

In 2025, under the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, UNECE organized: (1) 1st (March 6) and 2nd (April 30) online experts’ meetings to discuss a draft framework for the Joint Contingency Plan for emergency situations in the Syr Darya River Basin; (2) 51st meeting of the Working Group on Implementation (Geneva, March 12); (3) joint meeting of the Bureau and Working Group on Implementation (Geneva, March 13); (4) 58th (Geneva, March 14) and 59th (Brussels, November 19) meetings of the Bureau; (5) 2nd (April 9) and 3rd (Tashkent, November 26) meetings of the Inter-Institutional Working Group on Tailings Safety and Prevention of Accidental Water Pollution in Uzbekistan; (6) subregional workshop on climate-related risks of tailings management in Central Asia (Bishkek, May 21-22); (7) 4th meeting of the Inter-Institutional Working Group on Tailings Safety and Prevention of Accidental Water Pollution in Tajikistan (Dushanbe, August 15); (8) meeting of the Joint Expert Group on Water and Industrial Accidents (online, November 12).

New publications. Equitable Access Score-card 2.0 Shaping water and sanitation policies to achieve the human rights to water and sanitation and Guidance Note for the Implementation of Source-to-Sea Management in Transboundary Basins.

UNECE Activities in Central Asia in 2025

Energy-Water-Land Nexus. As part of the “Regional mechanisms for a low-carbon, climate-resilient transformation of the energy-water-land Nexus in Central Asia” project (IKI Nexus project), the following priorities were identified jointly with stakeholders: regional cooperation, nature-based solutions, dam safety, sustainable small hydropower, water and energy efficiency (including regional energy connectivity).

The following events were held: (1) hybrid partners meeting to tackle key strategic challenges, including nexus-financing models for Central Asian agribusiness and establishment of national policy dialogue framework (February 6); (2) 4th meeting of the Regional Working Group on a Mutually Beneficial Water-Energy Mechanism for Central Asia to enhance expert capacity and professional linkages, build an evidence base, and develop coordinated information materials for policymakers (Astana, July 10) and 5th meeting to review existing water-energy coordination models to determine their effectiveness in supporting decision-making processes (Tashkent, December 4); (3) regional kick-off consultation meeting on sustainable small hydropower development and environmental assessment in Central Asia to discuss environmental sustainability of small HPPs, existing challenges and international approaches. Participants agreed upon the Regional Guiding Principles on sustainable development of small hydropower and Methodological Framework on EIA for small HPPs on natural watercourses (November 27).

Work on the Protocol on Water and Health

Kazakhstan has become the 30th Party to join the Protocol, implementing its commitment to accede made at the UN Water Conference (New York, 22–24 March 2023). The country has finalized the draft national targets, which comprise 40 targets across all 20 Protocol target areas specified in Article 6 of the Protocol. The document has undergone interagency discussion and includes justifications, indicators, responsible actors and target dates.

A new “Equitable access to water and sanitation services for all and in all settings and strengthened climate-resilience in the water and sanitation sector” project was launched (UNECE, Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, IWAC and WHO/Europe) to apply the Equitable Access Score-card 2.0 with the aim of undertaking a detailed self-assessment of the equity of access to WASH (Astana, August 19-20).

With support from the Protocol’s Secretariat, Turkmenistan completed a baseline analysis covering all 20 Protocol target areas (Article 6). Key gaps identified include water infrastructure modernization and transboundary cooperation in water supply and sanitation. The analysis was finalized after the meeting in Ashgabat (17 December). Development of national targets was recommended as the next step to pave the way for possible initiation of accession process.

The project “Improving Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Health through the Implementation of the Program of Work of the Protocol on Water and Health” (UNECE and WHO/Europe) was completed. The project was aimed at strengthening the capacity of CA countries (Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan), Eastern Europe and the Caucasus to achieve the Protocol’s targets and enhance resilience to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Key results: (1) at the national level, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan received support in developing baseline analyses and enhancing institutional coordination to revise their national WASH targets; (2) at the regional level, the project strengthened knowledge exchange and cooperation. As part of the project, two WHO/Europe-led subregional workshops on safe sanitation and wastewater surveillance were organized in Astana (3–5 June). The events identified needs for modernization of infrastructure, strengthened laboratory capacity and governance. The 3rd sub-regional event on WASH priorities in Central Asia featured national updates on water and health sectors, discussed Protocol implementation mechanisms, and identified common priorities for collaborative efforts.

Activities on tailings safety and the prevention of accidental water pollution

ТTajikistan is set to become the 43rd Party to the UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents . Accession to the Convention lays the groundwork for enhancing industrial safety, preventing accidental water pollution, and expanding transboundary cooperation.

In 2025, a draft framework for the Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) for industrial/tailings accident prevention, preparedness and response in the Syr Darya River basin was developed. It was discussed at the online expert meetings (March 6, April 30), reviewed at the Subregional workshop on climate-related risks (Bishkek, May 21-22), and presented at the Regional Forum - meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities of Central Asian countries (Dushanbe, October 15-17) and 3rd meeting of the Basin Dialogues in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins (Tashkent, December 2).

Jointly with UNESCAP, UNECE launched a project “Improved climate knowledge and disaster risk governance for mine tailings facilities in Central Asia” (Bishkek, May 21-22); the development of risk maps combining natural hazards and tailings management facilities (TMFs) in Central Asia was initiated ; a process has been launched to prepare a regional assessment of climate change impacts on TMFs in Central Asia.

The 4th meeting of the Inter-institutional Working Group on Tailings Safety and the Prevention of Accidental Water Pollution in Tajikistan reviewed progress towards accession to the Convention, discussed climate-related risks for tailings safety and reviewed the JCP Framework for the Syr Darya Basin; adopted the Group’s workplan for 2025–2026, focused on legislative reform, capacity-building, knowledge exchange and regional cooperation (Dushanbe, August 15).

As part of the SDC-funded project “Strengthening action in Uzbekistan on water and sanitation and protection of water resources from accidental pollution in the face of climate change” implemented by UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health and the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, the following products were delivered: (1) Framework of a Joint Contingency Plan for industrial/tailings accident prevention, preparedness and response in the Syr Darya River Basin; (2) Roadmap and zero-draft law on accession to the Convention; (3) Self-assessment and action plan under the Convention; (4) Draft policy brief on the impact of climate change on mine tailings safety in Uzbekistan. Moreover, a baseline analysis of the situation in Uzbekistan in the areas covered by has been finalized. Regulation No. 361 on wastewater treatment was adopted on June 12, 2025. The 2nd and 3rd meetings of the Inter-Institutional Working Group on the prevention of accidental water pollution and tailings safety were held in Tashkent (April 9, November 26). The participants reviewed progress on the implementation, joint contingency plan for the Syr Darya River basin; discussed results of the baseline analysis for developing new targets for 2026–2028 and issues related to satellite monitoring and risk profiling for 10 facilities, and agreed on the work plan for 2026.

SDG indicator 6.5.2

The regional workshop for countries of Central Asia on the outcomes of the third reporting exercise on SDG indicator 6.5.2 and sharing experience in using reporting as a tool for developing transboundary cooperation convened experts from Central Asian countries, along with representatives of international and non-governmental organizations. The event, hosted by IWAC, UNECE, UNESCO and SIC ICWC, with the support of GIZ, was designed to facilitate the exchange of experience in reporting on SDG indicator 6.5.2 and identify measures to promote cooperation in transboundary basins of rivers, lakes and aquifers in the region (Tashkent, February 12-13).

Source: UNECE

International Water Assessment Centre

The International Water Assessment Centre (IWAC) is a center for international cooperation on IWRM, which has been established as a subsidiary body of the Water Convention. Since 2017, IWAC is located in Astana.

The IWAC operates under the 2025–2027 Program of Work outlining four priority areas: (1) supporting monitoring, assessment and information-sharing in transboundary basins to address pressures on water resources; (2) promoting an integrated and intersectoral approach to water management at all levels; (3) adapting to climate change in transboundary basins; (4) facilitating funding and financing of transboundary water cooperation and basin development.

IWAC Activities in 2025

IWAC co-organized: (1) regional workshop for countries of Central Asia on the outcomes of the 3rd reporting exercise on SDG indicator 6.5.2 (Tashkent, February 12-13); (2) 8th meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council of the National Policy Dialogue on Water (NPD) in Kazakhstan (Astana, April 8); (3) launch of a twinning initiative between Iraq and Kazakhstan (Baghdad, May 26); (4) a national inception workshop for the project “Assessing equitable access to water and sanitation in Kazakhstan” (Astana, August 19-20); (5) a training seminar “New Water Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and plans for its implementation” (Astana, October 6-10).

IWAC held a meeting with the EC IFAS to discuss cooperation prospects between the Executive Committee and the Water Convention Secretariat, as well as development and launch of new projects on water and environment in the Aral Sea Basin, including initiatives on dam safety in Central Asia (April 9).

Source: IWAC

6.7. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is one of the five UN regional commissions established in 1947. The Commission promotes the resolution of key regional challenges through projects, technical assistance, and capacity-building for Member-States across a broad range of areas, including macroeconomic policy, trade and investment, transport, social development, environment, sustainable development, information and ICT, disaster risk reduction, and statistics.

SPECA Program

In January 2026, Ashgabat hosted: (1) 28th session of the Working Group on Water, Energy and Environment dedicated to nexus, nature-based solutions, dam safety, and sustainable small hydropower (January 20); (2) 2025 SPECA Economic Forum “International Year of Peace and Trust: Regional Connectivity for Sustainable Development” to discuss energy and transport connectivity, digital trade and economic corridors, and the use of UN standards (January 21-22); (3) 20th session of the SPECA Governing Council to consider the outcomes of the SPECA Economic Forum, adopt the SPECA Work Plan for 2026-2027, and review the SPECA strategic documents. Following the session, Kyrgyzstan was elected as the SPECA chair country for 2026 (January 23).

Source: ESCAP

6.8. United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia

The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is a special UN political mission established on the initiative of the five Governments of Central Asia in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in 2007 to support national authorities in identifying and addressing existing and potential threats to regional peace and security. In implementing its initiatives, UNRCCA interacts with regional and international organizations. The Centre is led by a Special Representative of the Secretary General.

Key priorities for 2021-2025 (1) promoting preventive diplomacy among the Governments of Central Asia; (2) monitoring and early warning in support of conflict prevention; (3) building partnerships for prevention, including with regional and sub-regional organizations; (4) strengthening the United Nations preventive diplomacy in Central Asia; (5) encouraging cooperation and interaction between Central Asia and Afghanistan in close cooperation with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

The “Strategy in support of cooperation between the states of Central Asia in the field of water, energy, environment and climate for 2022-2025” adopted in 2021 with the active participation of all five CA states focuses on four main fields of activities, including: (1) preventive diplomacy and capacity building; (2) strengthening institutions and legal frameworks; (3) ensuring transparency, strengthening relationships and promoting partnerships; and (4) working on cross-cutting issues of the peace and security agenda.

UNRCCA Activities in 2025

Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA). The PDA Cohort 2025 was concluded, with an online lecture on water and climate diplomacy, followed by a certificate ceremony. The 2025 program covered 21 thematic areas, including environmental security and cybersecurity (December 18).

In collaboration with the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, the UNRCCA held: (1) practical session for the PDA members and alumni to enhance understanding of cooperative approaches to transboundary water management and the wider political, economic and environmental aspects of water diplomacy. The practical component included a simulation exercise, during which participants, representing upstream and downstream countries of a transboundary river, developed approaches to reconciling the interests of hydropower, irrigation and environmental protection (May 19); (2) online training session on “The role of diplomacy in tackling climate change – a UK perspective” to explore the role of youth in climate diplomacy at local, regional, and global levels. The participants highlighted inclusive dialogue, regional cooperation, and youth-led initiatives as key to advancing climate action (October 2).

Events. The UNRCCA convened a regional meeting of experts of the Central Asian States to share national experiences and discuss cooperation mechanisms. The participants reviewed the elements of the UNRCCA draft Strategy on Supporting Cooperation among the Central Asian States in Water-Energy, Environment and Climate for 2026-2030 (November 26-27, Almaty).

Within the framework of the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe, the UNRCCA prepared and moderated a dedicated session on “Strengthening transboundary governance and policy coordination” to explore opportunities to reinforce cooperation through existing regional mechanisms, including IFAS, UNRCCA, and other initiatives led by UN agencies and development partners. The participants highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue, harmonized policies, open data exchange, scientific tools for climate adaptation, and sustainable financing mechanisms (May 29). In addition, on the margins of the Conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UNRCCA and EC IFAS, with a view to enhancing cooperation on tackling environmental issues in the Aral Sea basin, specifically to: (1) develop joint mechanisms for environmental threat monitoring; (2) create a framework for proactive response to environmental challenges; and (3) improve socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin (May 31).

Source: UNRCCA