Strengthening integrated water and land management for climate resilient agroecosystems in Uzbekistan
Background
Uzbekistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, is home to ecologically important river and wetland systems, extensive grasslands, semi-deserts, and high mountain ranges which support some of the most unique species and habitats on earth. These ecosystems also provide essential services to people, including water, food and livelihoods, and are critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, Uzbekistan’s natural environments are increasingly threatened by drivers of ecosystem degradation and loss, including natural resource competition, unsustainable economic development and demographic pressure. Climate change and increased water scarcity projected in the near future have prompted Uzbekistan to prioritize climate adaptation measures in its NDC, including integrated water resources management, land restoration, and biodiversity conservation to safeguard and build the resilience of the country’s natural environment and agroecosystems.
Activities
Implemented by FAO, the GEF-funded Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) program is designed to improve the health of agricultural land and watersheds, reduce deforestation, and promote rural development. Through collaborative, science-based approaches, CAWLN is building the resilience of natural and agricultural landscapes at both the national and regional level through transformational changes in the management of water and land use resources and biodiversity for agriculture.
The program is structured around five key activities. First, it strengthens transboundary and cross-sectoral cooperation within the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins, facilitating a harmonized approach to integrated watershed management. Second, it enhances governance frameworks and mechanisms and improves stakeholder capacities to apply gender-responsive and integrated land-water-biodiversity management practices aligned with national commitments. Third, the program enhances decision-making tools and capacities, including satellite imagery use for Monitoring and Decision Support Systems, to support planning related to water, land, agriculture, and ecosystem management. Fourth, it promotes gender-responsive sustainable land management practices in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration, by integrating multi-stakeholder mechanisms and incentives to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. Finally, the program focuses on restoring key aquatic and terrestrial habitats, protecting native biodiversity, and improving livelihoods of rural communities through enhanced ecosystem service benefits.
Impact
The CAWLN program is designed to promote transformational changes through integrated land-water-biodiversity management for the resilience of Uzbekistan’s natural landscapes and agroecosystems. By building governance frameworks, enhancing decision-making processes, addressing gender inequalities and social norms, and enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation, the programme will enable Uzbekistan to deliver on key adaptation goals for climate resilient agriculture and natural resource management stated in its NDC, including the restoration of degraded ecosystems and biodiversity and improved rural livelihoods.