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Water Security

Melting Mountains, Drying Futures: Central Asia Confronts Water Emergency

Central Asian countries are mobilizing against an emerging water crisis as a United Nations report highlights the vulnerability of mountain water systems to climate change. Identifying ranges like the Tien Shan and the Pamirs, the UN World Water Development Report 2025 – Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers – warns that rapid glacier melt and erratic snowfall are threatening vital freshwater supplies worldwide. According to the report, mountains provide up to 60% of the world’s annual freshwater flows, with over two billion people depending directly on water from mountain sources. This risk is particularly acute in Central Asia: a UN drought outlook noted that rising temperatures and shrinking snowpack in the high mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are accelerating glacier retreat, posing a “long-term threat to the region’s water security.” Half of rural mountain communities in developing countries already face food insecurity, and receding glaciers could impact two-thirds of all irrigated agriculture globally – a dire scenario for Central Asia’s irrigation-dependent economies. Rivers like the Amu Darya and Syr Darya are fed by glacier runoff and support downstream agriculture, hydropower, and municipal needs in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. But climate-driven glacial retreat, inefficient irrigation, and aging infrastructure have already pushed the region toward a breaking point. [caption id="attachment_33952" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Lake Karakul in Tajikistan is expanding due to melting glaciers; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Kazakhstan Steps Up Leading the regional response, Kazakhstan has launched sweeping reforms to modernize its water infrastructure and governance. The country has committed to building 42 new reservoirs, refurbishing 14,000 kilometers of irrigation canals, and investing heavily in digital water monitoring and conservation. Established in September 2023, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is coordinating the overhaul under an updated national Water Code. The government has also launched an integrated water portal, hydro.gov.kz, and pledged to digitize more than 3,500 kilometers of canals for precise flow tracking. In an address at the Astana International Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev framed water as a “powerful driver of cooperation, sustainable development and regional stability,” urging closer regional coordination. Kazakhstan is also leading environmental restoration efforts. As the current chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), it is overseeing projects to rehabilitate the North Aral Sea, including raising the Kokaral Dam to restore water levels and fisheries. In 2024 alone, local irrigation reforms in Kyzylorda saved 200 million cubic meters of water, which was redirected toward the shrinking sea. [caption id="attachment_12017" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] The Kokaral Dam in Kazakhstan; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] International Support and Financing Kazakhstan’s strategy has been backed by a plethora of international partners. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has financed over €255 million in water and wastewater projects in Kazakhstan, including a €96.4 million sovereign loan for a new treatment plant in Aktobe. Meanwhile, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and UNDP have launched a regional partnership to expand access to modern irrigation, digitize water flows, and establish training centers. “We must act very quickly and...

Human rights

Uzbekistan Rejects UN Allegations in Gulnara Karimova Case

The government of Uzbekistan has formally rejected allegations by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the case of Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of the country’s late president, Islam Karimov. The UN body had earlier declared that Karimova’s 2014 detention was arbitrary and lacked a legal basis. In a response published by Uzbekistan’s National Center for Human Rights, the government asserted that all criminal proceedings against Karimova were conducted in full compliance with national legislation and international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “The government is concerned that the Working Group formed its opinion based on one-sided and subjective information provided by the source, while Uzbekistan’s official response was not taken into account due to procedural deadlines,” the statement read. “This approach undermines the principles of impartiality that UN bodies must observe.” Legal Process and Rights of the Defendant According to the statement, Karimova had access to legal counsel throughout the legal process. She retained the right to choose or be appointed a lawyer, to review case materials, to appeal court decisions, and to consult privately with her legal representative. The government rejected claims that she had been subjected to extended house arrest without due process or that she faced a so-called “kitchen trial.” Officials maintained that all procedures and hearings were held lawfully. “At present, she has the right to appeal court decisions as provided by law,” the statement noted. Authorities also dismissed any suggestion that the prosecution was politically motivated. “All actions by law enforcement and judicial authorities were based solely on legal and factual grounds confirming the defendant’s guilt, and were unrelated to her economic activities, political status, or views,” the statement read. Karimova was convicted of tax evasion, money laundering, illegal appropriation of state property, fraud, and other serious crimes. According to the government, these actions resulted in significant financial losses to the state. Officials stated that all verdicts were supported by evidence and issued by competent courts. International Cooperation and Asset Repatriation The statement also drew attention to the 2022 agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland to establish the Vision 2030 Fund, financed by assets previously associated with Karimova. The fund supports Uzbekistan’s national reform agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is administered through the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. In closing, the government reaffirmed its commitment to international human rights obligations and expressed its willingness to maintain constructive dialogue with UN mechanisms. “The government reserves the right to defend its reputation in international institutions and to convey reliable information to all interested parties,” the statement concluded.

Heritage

Almosi Valley in Tajikistan Recognized as Global Agricultural Heritage Site

The Almosi mountain valley in Tajikistan’s Gissar district has been designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The decision was announced on July 8 during a meeting of the FAO’s Scientific Advisory Group. A Milestone for Central Asia Tajikistan is now the first country in the post-Soviet space to have one of its agricultural landscapes recognized by the GIAHS program. Until now, only 12 agroecosystems across five European nations, Austria, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Andorra, had received such recognition. Tajikistan’s inclusion marks a significant acknowledgment of Central Asia’s rich agricultural legacy and its global relevance. GIAHS sites are selected not only for their scenic beauty but also for their enduring agricultural practices and deep-rooted human-nature interaction. According to FAO materials, these systems demonstrate high levels of agrobiodiversity, sustainable production, centuries-old agricultural knowledge, and strong community ties to the environment. Almosi exemplifies these values. In its mountainous terrain, farmers engage in transhumant sheep herding and the cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, vegetables, and the prized pink Taifi grape, used for raisins, syrups, juice, and wine. The valley is also home to the Gissar sheep breed, developed for resilience in high-altitude conditions. Preserving Tradition and Biodiversity Agriculture in Almosi relies on traditional techniques, including contour planting, organic fertilization, and irrigation through ancient canal systems. Farmers monitor natural indicators to optimize water use and adapt to climatic shifts, ensuring both productivity and environmental preservation. Community organization is another hallmark of the Almosi model. Farming is managed through mahalla committees, cooperatives, family farms, and even remnants of collective farming structures. This supports intergenerational knowledge transfer, shared resource management, and social cohesion. GIAHS designation not only affirms Almosi’s global agricultural significance but also opens avenues for sustainable development. Opportunities include eco-tourism, enhanced agricultural investment, and broader recognition of Tajikistan’s rural heritage. With new entries from Tajikistan, South Korea, and Portugal, the GIAHS network now includes 99 recognized systems in 29 countries. Almosi stands as the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a testament to the region’s enduring agricultural traditions and its capacity for innovation grounded in history.

Refugees

Tajikistan Gives Afghan Refugees 15 Days to Leave

Tajikistan has launched a large-scale campaign to detain and deport Afghan refugees, giving them just 15 days to leave the country. The move, reported by Afghanistan’s Khaama Press and confirmed by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, has sparked fear and confusion among thousands of Afghans in Tajikistan, including many with valid residency permits or official asylum documentation. According to Khaama Press, detentions have intensified in recent days, particularly around Vahdat township and Rudaki district near the capital, Dushanbe. Afghan men are reportedly being arrested in large numbers, often directly from their workplaces, with little to no warning or opportunity to contact family members. The deportation order is believed to affect thousands of Afghans, including individuals legally residing in Tajikistan while awaiting resettlement to countries such as Canada. Many are former civil servants, military personnel, or others affiliated with the pre-Taliban Afghan government who fled after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Human rights advocates warn that forced repatriation could expose them to immediate danger UNHCR Condemnation and International Concerns The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed deep concern over Tajikistan’s actions. In January 2025, UNHCR urged Dushanbe to cease deportations after confirming that at least 80 Afghan refugees were forcibly returned in December 2024, despite holding UN-issued refugee documents. UNHCR stated that these deportations violate international protection obligations and risk exposing vulnerable individuals to persecution, detention, or violence in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. As of late 2024, approximately 9,000 Afghan refugees were officially registered in Tajikistan. With the new 15-day ultimatum and ongoing arrests, many more are now at risk. Refugee advocates report that detentions are being carried out indiscriminately, often without regard for legal status. Part of a Wider Regional Crackdown Tajikistan’s campaign mirrors broader regional trends. In recent months, both Iran and Pakistan have undertaken mass deportations of Afghan nationals. Human rights organizations have documented widespread reports of abuse, intimidation, and even killings of returnees by Taliban forces. Observers warn that options for Afghan refugees are rapidly diminishing. Resettlement programs remain slow, and few countries have opened new asylum pathways. As a result, thousands of displaced Afghans across Central and South Asia face a stark choice: live under constant threat of arrest and expulsion or return to a homeland where persecution may await.

Human rights

UN Rules Gulnara Karimova’s Arrest Was Unlawful and Arbitrary

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has determined that the 2014 arrest of Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan’s late President Islam Karimov, was both unlawful and arbitrary. The finding was published in a recent report on the website of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Working Group reviewed the case under its standard communications procedure following a petition submitted in late 2024. According to the report, Karimova was detained in February 2014 without a warrant and held under varying conditions, including 18 months of house arrest alongside her child. Her first judicial appearance occurred only on August 21, 2015, reportedly in a hearing conducted in her kitchen. During this period, she was denied a genuine opportunity to contest her detention or understand the charges brought against her. The UN body concluded that Uzbekistan violated several provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the rights to prompt judicial review, to be informed of the charges, and to access legal counsel. International and Domestic Legal Violations Parallel to domestic proceedings, legal action in a third country led to convictions of several co-defendants for laundering over $600 million through companies connected to Karimova. Although her legal team contested asset forfeitures abroad, Karimova has alleged that Uzbek authorities pressured her lawyers to withdraw their motions. The Working Group has called on the Uzbek government to provide Karimova with reparations, including financial compensation, and to conduct a “full and independent investigation” into her arbitrary detention. It also urged accountability for those responsible. The UN panel initially requested the government’s response by February 24, 2025. However, Uzbekistan submitted its response one day late, rendering it procedurally invalid. As a result, the Group issued its opinion based solely on the information available. Both the Uzbek government and the petitioner have been requested to submit updates within six months. These should address whether compensation has been provided, whether an investigation has been conducted, and whether any legal reforms have been implemented in response to the ruling. The decision strengthens the UN’s ongoing calls for Uzbekistan to bring its judicial practices in line with international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Asset Recovery Agreement with Switzerland In a related development, Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed an agreement in February 2025 to return approximately $182 million in assets confiscated from Karimova. The funds had been frozen by Swiss prosecutors in 2012 as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation. Under the agreement, the funds will be transferred to Uzbekistan through the UN-administered Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund. This follows an earlier accord in August 2022 to return $131 million, bringing the total amount of repatriated assets to $313 million. The case of Gulnara Karimova continues to draw comparisons to that of Dariga Nazarbayeva, the eldest daughter of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. While Karimova faced prosecution and widespread asset seizures, Nazarbayeva retained her political influence and substantial wealth.

Agriculture

Uzbekistan Elected to the UN FAO Council for the First Time

Uzbekistan has been unanimously elected to the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the 2028-2029 term, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. This marks the first time Uzbekistan has secured a seat on the Council, which plays a pivotal role in shaping global agricultural and food policy. The FAO Council consists of 49 member states, selected to ensure equitable geographic representation. It is tasked with reviewing the FAO’s budget and programs and making strategic recommendations to the FAO Conference. Uzbekistan’s election is widely viewed as international recognition of the country's recent reforms in agriculture and food security. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the government has prioritized sustainability, food safety, and environmental protection. Council membership will provide Uzbekistan with a stronger voice in international agricultural discussions. It will enable the country to participate in the development of global standards, support national and regional initiatives, and attract international funding to advance key development goals. In recent years, Uzbekistan has collaborated closely with the FAO on several high-profile projects. In May 2024, the FAO and the Ministry of Ecology organized a workshop in Tashkent to launch a joint initiative on hazardous chemical management. Supported by the European Union, the project aims to reduce reliance on harmful pesticides by promoting safer alternatives to local farmers. Earlier, in March 2024, the FAO and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture hosted a seminar on the “Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils” (RECSOIL), culminating in an approved national action plan. The RECSOIL initiative complements two ongoing FAO projects focused on sustainable land management in drought-prone and dryland areas. These efforts are already benefiting Uzbek farmers through the adoption of modern, resource-efficient practices that improve productivity while preserving the environment.