On October 11, 2025, the city of Guliston in the Sughd region of the Republic of Tajikistan hosted the Third Youth Forum of the Syr Darya River Basin, bringing together more than 260 young eco-activists from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, united under the “Green Patrols” movement.
The event was held within the framework of international cooperation on sustainable development and climate security in the region and was partially supported by the regional program ‘Green Central Asia, Phase II’, implemented by GIZ.
The Forum aimed to strengthen regional transboundary youth cooperation in environmental protection, sustainable water resource management, and the promotion of effective environmental practices in the Syr Darya River Basin.
The Forum was based on the principles of the Khujand Declaration of Eternal Friendship, signed on March 31, 2025, in the city of Khujand during a trilateral meeting of the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The document reaffirmed the parties’ commitment to deepening partnership, jointly addressing transboundary environmental and water challenges, and systematically supporting youth initiatives.
Against the backdrop of increasing climate risks and the need for sustainable natural resource management, youth have emerged as key agents of environmental transformation, capable of contributing to the development and implementation of environmental policies.
The Forum became an important milestone in strengthening youth participation in transboundary environmental governance, advancing international cooperation, and promoting sustainable approaches to water resource use in the Syr Darya River Basin.
