Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)

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 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.

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.

Water – A vital resource under threat

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.

Advocacy and good governance

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

Private Sector Development and financial services

Basic education and vocational skills development

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