From June 23 to 25, 2025, the 3-day training on climate risk assessment was held in Fergana, Uzbekistan, focusing on the river basins of Shahimardan and Isfayram-Sai. The event brought together representatives from water, environmental, agricultural, and local institutions from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The training series are organized within the framework of the regional programme “Climate risk management in Central Asia”, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government.
Both basins are located in the densely populated and agriculturally active Fergana Valley and play a critical role in supplying water to local communities and irrigated lands. The Shahimardan and Isfayram-Sai rivers are highly sensitive to climate change due to their mountainous origins, reliance on seasonal snowmelt, and limited water availability in downstream areas. In recent years, spring mudflows and summer droughts have become more frequent, posing risks to public safety, crop yields, and ecosystems.
A key focus of the Fergana training was not only to assess these climate vulnerabilities, but also to jointly develop practical adaptation measures. Adaptation measures are especially critical in the context of unstable water regimes and increasing frequency of extreme weather events. They enable proactive infrastructure planning, protect populations and agriculture and preserve ecosystems.
The Fergana training was the last in a series of four, following sessions in Samarkand (June 9–11, Zarafshan basin), Taraz (June 10–12, Chon-Kemin / Chu basin) and Mary (June 17–19, Murgab basin). The trainings aimed to strengthen local capacity to assess climate risks and jointly develop adaptation responses in river basins that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts — including floods, mudflows, droughts, and ecosystem degradation.
