RESULTS OF THE PROJECT ON MODERNIZATION OF HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL SERVICES IN CENTRAL ASIA FROM 2012 TO 2023

Central Asia consists of five former Soviet republics: the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Tajikistan. The territory of Central Asia stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east, and from central Siberia in the north to Afghanistan and Iran in the south. Despite having an area the size of Western Europe, Central Asia is home to only 57 million people. In 2008, the population of Central Asia accounted for 14% of the population of the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, while the gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to only 5.0% of the GDP of the ECA region. The Central Asia Hydrometeorological Services Modernization Project (CA HMSMP) played a key role in enhancing cooperation, improving information sharing, and capacity building among the five National Hydrometeorological Services (NHMS) in Central Asia. The project has made significant progress in strengthening regional cooperation and institutional capacity of the four participating NHMSs. Through joint capacity building activities, including training of forecasters, NHMS specialists have established operational relationships for cooperation, mutual support, and recognition of regional and national benefits of data sharing. A high-level platform for the countries of the region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) was also established to work closely together, build consensus on promising improvements, and harmonize practical aspects of weather, climate, and hydrological information services to be managed at the regional level.