Switzerland is involved in water management, good governance and sustainable economic development programmes in the three Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It encourages measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and supports regional cooperation.
Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)
Embassy | |
Mission / Delegation / Permanent Representation | |
Consulate general | |
Honorary representation | |
Cooperation office | |
Contribution Office | |
Embassy with Cooperation Office | |
Embassy with Regional consular center | |
Swiss Business Hub | |
Swissnex | |
City | |
Capital | |
Disputed border | |
River | |
Lake |
Central Asia covers the territory of five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, they have been developing at different speeds, although they face similar challenges, including reduced access to public decision-making and problems in establishing a diversified economy. Climate change will also have a significant impact on water supplies within the region. Switzerland is committed to peace, prosperity and social cohesion in Central Asia and supports projects to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the UN 2030 Agenda.
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 * |
---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) |
|
|
|
Bilateral development cooperation |
28.58 |
30.75 |
28.75 |
Humanitarian aid |
1.06 |
1.64 |
1.60 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
|
|
|
Economic Cooperation and Development |
21.66 |
20.97 |
23.47 |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) |
|
|
|
Conflict transformation and human rights |
0.29 |
0.16 |
- |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD |
51.59 |
53.52 |
53.82 |
Other Federal Offices |
|
|
|
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) |
- |
- |
.. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad |
3.63 |
- |
.. |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
- |
- |
.. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) |
- |
- |
.. |
MeteoSwiss |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) |
0.78 |
1.04 |
.. |
Federal Statistical Office (FSO) |
- |
- |
- |
Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) |
- |
- |
- |
State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) |
- |
- |
- |
Total other Federal Offices |
4.41 |
1.04 |
- |
Cantons and municipalities |
0.08 |
.. |
.. |
Total |
56.08 |
54.56 |
53.82 |
Data status at 02.04.2024
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
Water infrastructure and climate change
Sustainable management of a precious commodity
Switzerland supports the Central Asian countries in taking joint, science-based action to advance climate-resilient, sustainable and inclusive approaches to managing scarce water resources. It is also essential that communities are protected from natural disasters and have access to drinking water and sewage systems. In order to achieve this, Switzerland supports sustainable planning, the use of river basins and national legislation that incorporates the principle of integrated water resources management (IWRM). It also promotes cross-border cooperation on water management and water diplomacy.
Good governance, human rights and public services
Inclusive good governance
The national and political contexts of the Central Asian states vary significantly. Switzerland therefore maintains a diversified good governance portfolio. In works to ensure that people in the three countries in which it is active have a stake in public decisions affecting them, are aware of their rights, and are able to express their opinions. Switzerland also helps local authorities to make their work more effective and transparent and assists ethnic minorities and other groups that are particularly vulnerable.
Sustainable economic development
Environmentally-friendly businesses and opportunities for all
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the Central Asian economies. Switzerland is helping the Central Asian countries to recover and build more resilient, inclusive economies. To this end, it is promoting reforms aimed at improving economic conditions, helping SMEs to create jobs, and establishing a responsible, inclusive and transparent financial sector. In addition, Switzerland supports training initiatives for workers in selected market sectors
Approach and partners
Switzerland has supported the reforms that have been under way in Central Asia since the early 1990s and is closely coordinating its activities with the project partners involved.
The Cooperation Strategy 2022–25 is being jointly implemented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Switzerland's key partners in Central Asia:
- Local and international NGOs
- Multilateral organisations such as the UNDP, development banks (EBRD, ADB) and the Bretton Woods institutions
- Civil society organisations
- National public and private sector partners
Links
Water – A vital resource under threat
Private Sector Development and financial services
Basic education and vocational skills development
International Cooperation Kyrgyzstan-Switzerland
International Cooperation Tajikistan-Switzerland
International Cooperation Uzbekistan-Switzerland
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Kyrgyzstan
Documents
Current projects
Tajikistan UNDRR - Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Tajikistan (SRDCT)
01.09.2024
- 28.02.2026
Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate impacts, thus strengthening resilience needed as fundament for sustainable development. The intervention will contribute to (i) sustainable and effective mechanisms and instruments to improve risk governance through the national DRR platform, (ii) improved risk knowledge through robust loss data collection and recording, and (iii) preparedness measures through support to multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and risk information.
Public Service Improvement (PSI) in the Kyrgyz Republic
01.08.2024
- 31.07.2028
To improve people's quality of life, municipalities need to deliver efficiently and effectively services such as safe drinking water, waste collection, cultural facilities in a socially inclusive and gender responsive manner. In rural Kyrgyzstan, their capacities still need to be improved in a sustainable way. To achieve this, the project will develop the municipalities' support system which shall then provide adequate counseling and training to those municipalities today and in the long run.
Strengthening local governance and civic space in Uzbekistan
01.05.2024
- 31.12.2028
The programme will strengthen inclusive local governance, gender-based violence prevention and the civic space in Uzbekistan. It promotes an active civil society and civic engagement of youth and vulnerable groups at local level (locally-led development). Switzerland brings high credibility in local governance and human rights and acts as convenor and bridge builder. The multi-stakeholder set up with UN, non-governmental organizations and local authorities offers a variety of entry points, allowing agile steering in the complex political environment.
National Water Resources Management Project in Uzbekistan (NWRM)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2027
The project supports the water sector reform through the development and operationalization of strategic and regulatory framework based on a full-fledged integrated water resources management approach, embracing all water users and multi-actors’ space aligned with administrative changes. This will allow to achieve climate change resilience, food and water security, increased water productivity and improved livelihoods of the rural population in Uzbekistan.
Strengthening Water and Sanitation and Protection of Water Resources in Uzbekistan
01.12.2023
- 31.12.2026
The project will strengthen Uzbekistan in water and sanitation with a focus on protection of water resources. This contribution is designed in the frame of the UNECE led and implemented Assistance and Cooperation Program and shall support Uzbekistan’s accession to and implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health and the Industrial Accidents Convention as part of protecting human health, well-being and the environment through improving water management, the protection of water eco-systems, and reducing water-related diseases.
Climate Resilience Develoipment in Tajikistan
15.11.2023
- 13.11.2027
The contribution to the HELVETAS project aims at building resilience of livelihoods of the rural communities of Khatlon region, vulnerable to climate change. The population and particularly women and youth will engage in management, regeneration and protection of their natural resources and biodiversity while implementing disaster risk reduction measures.
Human Rights Grants (HRG) program in Tajikistan
01.10.2023
- 30.11.2025
The Human Rights grants program will support local and international organizations working in Tajikistan on acute Human Rights issues. The program will provide cofunding opportunities to selected projects related to child rights, freedom of press, human rights in custody, prevention of gender-based violence and the rights of migrants/refugees.
Contribution to UNESCO project: Empowering the government and citizens of Uzbekistan by strengthening access to information, accountability of institutions and media competence
01.10.2023
- 30.09.2026
The project will strengthen citizen’s access to information, accountability and transparency of governmental institutions and enhance the quality of the media and information landscape in Uzbekistan. UNESCO as implementing partner has a solid partnership with the government and supports ongoing legislative reforms with expertise, ensuring alignment with international standards, capacity building for key government stakeholders (incl. judiciary, law enforcement bodies) and media competence of professionals.
Contribution to OHCHR capacity strenght
01.10.2023
- 31.12.2025
The project aims to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in Uzbekistan ensuring justice for victims of human rights abuses, enhancing civic space, integrating human rights principles into development and implementing UN Human Rights Mechanisms recommendation. Upon invitation by the President of Uzbekistan OHCHR has expanded its presence in the country.
Central Asia Arts and Culture Programme 2.0. (CAACP 2.0.)
01.07.2023
- 30.06.2027
The objective of the Central Asia Arts and Culture Programme (CAACP) is to foster the further development of a vibrant and open art and culture scene that contributes to preserving freedom of expression and enhancing social cohesion in the region. The CAACP offers cultural institutions and artists opportunities to create a platform that enables people, including left-behind groups, to address issues affecting their lives and contribute to positive social change.
Groundwater Management in the Sughd Region, Tajikistan (GWMP)
01.07.2023
- 31.12.2028
The project aims to enhance livelihoods and social cohesion in Sughd region by promoting sustain-able groundwater management. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 6, it will improve poli-cies, institutional capacity, and water usage practices for long-term sustainability in Tajikistan. This unique Swiss initiative will leverage the region's untapped and scientifically unexplored potential to optimize groundwater resources, paving the way for sustainable development.
Green Economy and Sustainable Private Sector Development
01.06.2023
- 31.05.2026
Project supports transition towards green economy, in particular in tourism and agriculture sectors. With the generous financial support provided by the Swiss and German Governments as well as the European Union (joined for the first time as co-donor), international implementing agency (GIZ) will address challenges in above sectors through improved policy framework in green economy and practices. Transforming economy towards sustainability will also create new and decent jobs.