Tashkent, Uzbekistan, December 9, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) conducted the 2nd Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting to review the performance of the regional project Strengthening Climate Resilience through Introduction of Innovative Smart Techniques in Flood and Drought Management in Central Asia (2024–2027).  

The project aims to strengthen local climate resilience to floods and droughts through the introduction of water gates, water pumping systems, and smart early-warning technologies. It also seeks to improve communities’ preparedness for natural disasters by conducting comprehensive assessments of disaster risks, vulnerabilities, and policy gaps. In addition, the project will support the development of a bankable investment proposal and provide capacity-building activities to enhance local communities’ awareness and long-term resilience. 

The meeting gathered representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Technical Supervision, and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as Kyrgyz disaster risk policymakers. From Uzbekistan, participants included the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Agency of Hydrometeorological Service under The National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan.  

The PSC meeting reviewed key project milestones, offered strategic guidance, and monitored plans, budgets, and timelines to ensure alignment with project objectives. Building on the inaugural 2024 PSC meeting in Bishkek, the second meeting in Tashkent aimed to raise awareness of the project among Uzbek counterparts and stakeholders to strengthen bilateral cooperation. 

The meeting opened with welcoming speech from Dr. Malle Fofana, Regional Director for GGGI Asia, followed by opening remarks by key national partners from the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. They highlighted their shared commitment to strengthening climate resilience among vulnerable communities across the Ferghana ranges. 

“Introducing innovative water management techniques is essential to effectively prevent floods in the region,” said Dr. Malle Fofana, GGGI Asia Regional Director. “This project has a significant impact on strengthening meaningful cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the face of climate change, helping to improve the lives of local communities.” 

This was followed by the project overview presented by Ms. Hye Ryung Seo, GGGI Kyrgyz Republic Country Program Manager, who provided an update on the project’s implementation. Within just a year and a half, the project has moved into a pivotal implementation phase, with major technical, institutional, and field-level activities advancing in both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Over the past year, the team has worked closely with government partners and local communities to conduct technical site assessments, examine local policy gaps in addressing natural disasters, and assess area vulnerability to floods, droughts, and debris flows. These efforts—undertaken within the CRGG (Climate Resilient Green Growth) and CRVA (Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment) frameworks—also integrate gender equality and social inclusion considerations to ensure that climate resilience planning benefits all groups. With preparations underway for the installation of smart water gates and advanced CCTV-based early warning systems, the project is steadily laying the foundation for strengthened climate resilience and disaster preparedness across the target regions.  

The Korean Engineering Consultants Corporation (KECC), the main implementation partner, presented the results of the project site selection in the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. They conducted a comprehensive engineering assessment of three sites, two in the Kyrgyz Republic and one in Uzbekistan, considering hydrological, technical, socio-economic, environmental, and institutional factors. KECC also highlighted key challenges and outlined future plans for constructing smart early warning systems, as well as water gate and water pumping systems. 

“Climate change impacts are already a reality in Kyrgyzstan, with a growing number of natural disasters. Through this project, we hope to co-develop innovative solutions to address these challenges and strengthen our resilience,” noted Mr. Asan Sulaimanov, the Head of the Population and Territory Protection Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

“With our project, we have set ambitious yet urgent targets — including the protection of 1,500 hectares of natural capital and reaching 25,000 beneficiaries across both countries.” added Ms. Hye Ryung Seo, GGGI Kyrgyz Republic Country Program Manager. 

The 2nd Project Steering Committee Meeting served as a platform for strategic oversight, approving major project milestones and changes. It also brought together key stakeholders from the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan to jointly set future priorities and endorse the project’s budget and timelines. Looking ahead, GGGI will incorporate the insights and decisions from this meeting to guide the next phases of project implementation. 

About the GGGI Country Program in the Kyrgyz Republic 

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. In 2020, the Kyrgyz Republic became the 37th member of GGGI, followed by the opening of the country office in Bishkek in 2024.  GGGI works closely with key government partners, including the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, to advance the country’s green growth and climate resilience.  

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For more information, visit:  https://gggi.org  

(GGGI Kyrgyz Republic)  

Hye Ryung (Hayley) Seo 

Senior Officer-Climate Resilience-Central Asia/Project Manager 

+996 770 299 946 I hyeryung.seo@gggi.org 

Photos ©Global Green Growth Institute