OSCE Strengthens Youth Engagement and Regional Co-operation on Water in Central Asia

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) strengthened its engagement with young people and emerging professionals across Central Asia through its participation and contribution in the Regional Youth Conference of Central Asia 2026 (RCOY) and the organization of a Regional Water Hackathon for Young Professionals, held in Samarkand from 4 to 8 September.

Bringing together young activists, emerging professionals, experts and stakeholders, the two initiatives highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in addressing some of the region’s most pressing shared challenges, from climate change and glacier loss to sustainable development, transboundary water co-operation, environmental security and sustainable development.

Central Asia is facing growing environmental and climate pressures that do not stop at national borders. Shared river basins, retreating glaciers, desertification and increasing pressure on water resources make regional co-operation essential. With more than half of the region’s population under the age of 30, young people are among those most affected by these challenges, but they are also essential partners in developing and implementing solutions.

Bringing youth voices into regional dialogue

Held in Samarkand, RCOY Central Asia 2026 brought together young people from across Central Asia and neighboring countries to exchange perspectives on climate justice, water governance and the future of the region.

The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) contributed to the discussions with a presentation on participatory water governance and co-operation, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches to managing shared water resources.

The conference provided young activists and emerging leaders with opportunities to engage with experts and decision-makers, strengthen their knowledge of climate and water governance, exchange experiences and develop practical skills for advocacy and project implementation.

A key outcome was the development and adoption of a Regional Youth Statement, bringing together young people's perspectives and priorities on water management, soil preservation, glacier protection and climate action. The statement is intended to amplify a unified regional youth voice and support young people's engagement in national, regional and global processes, including UNFCCC COP31 and the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Turning ideas into practical solutions

On 7–8 September, the OSCE organized the Regional Water Hackathon for Young Professionals, bringing together students and young professionals from across Central Asia to develop innovative, practical responses to the region’s shared water challenges.

Complementing the policy-oriented discussions at RCOY Central Asia 2026, the hackathon provided a hands-on space for creativity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Participants were encouraged to look at water challenges not only through an environmental lens, but also in terms of regional co-operation, resilience, innovation and sustainable development.

Working in teams, participants developed four project proposals addressing key aspects of sustainable water management: data and technology; water quality; water-energy-food nexus implications; and good water governance. The projects demonstrated how young professionals can translate knowledge and ideas into practical initiatives with potential for implementation in Uzbekistan and across the wider region.

The hackathon also underscored the value of bringing together participants with different disciplinary backgrounds and perspectives. By combining technical expertise, creativity and regional knowledge, it highlighted the potential of youth-led innovation to contribute to more effective and sustainable approaches to water management.

Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan noted: “Water can be a source of tension, but it can also be a reason to talk, to co-operate and to build trust. Rivers do not stop at borders. And neither should our ideas, our co-operation or our ambition.”

The event also highlighted the importance of connecting scientific and technological innovation with diplomacy and international co-operation. Simone Giger, Ambassador of Switzerland in Uzbekistan, emphasized the relevance of this approach in the context of Switzerland’s 2026 Chairpersonship of the OSCE:

“This gathering is particularly timely given Switzerland's 2026 Chairpersonship of the OSCE. One of our five priorities is ‘Anticipating technologies, for a safe and humane future’, reflecting our conviction that science and technology need to be better connected to diplomacy and international co-operation, including in areas like water and energy.”

For participants, the value of the hackathon extended beyond the projects developed during the event. 

“This was my first water-focused hackathon, and I really enjoyed it: the scientific component, the practical work, and, of course, the entertainment,” said Gulnoza Khamdamova, Chief Specialist at the Scientific Information Centre of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC). “The practical session was also very useful; we managed to develop something truly feasible that will be highly beneficial for water management in Uzbekistan and the wider region.”

The importance of regional dialogue and multilateral co-operation was also highlighted by Guido De Sanctis, Ambassador of Italy in Uzbekistan. “Italy strongly believes in the value of multilateral diplomacy and constructive dialogue between upstream and downstream countries. Co-operation is essential for sustainable water management in Central Asia. Through the Italy-Central Asia (5+1) format, we actively promote regional cooperation, and we are proud to support this important initiative in Uzbekistan.”

Together, the contributions from participants reflected a common message: sustainable water management in Central Asia requires not only technical innovation, but also dialogue, trust and co-operation across borders and generations.

Connecting youth participation with regional co-operation

Together, RCOY Central Asia 2026 and the Regional Water Hackathon demonstrated two complementary dimensions of youth engagement.

RCOY provided a platform for dialogue, advocacy and policy engagement, while the Water Hackathon emphasized practical innovation and solution development. Both initiatives created opportunities for young people to move beyond being beneficiaries or observers and become active contributors to regional processes.

For the OSCE, meaningful youth engagement is closely linked to broader efforts to strengthen dialogue, co-operation and resilience across Central Asia. Environmental challenges such as water scarcity, climate change and land degradation affect communities, livelihoods and regional stability. Addressing these challenges therefore requires approaches that bring together countries, sectors, institutions and generations.

Looking ahead

The momentum generated by these initiatives provides a foundation for continued regional co-operation on climate, water and environmental security.

The Regional Youth Statement developed through RCOY Central Asia 2026, together with the ideas and solutions emerging from the Regional Water Hackathon, contributes to a growing body of youth perspectives and practical proposals for addressing shared challenges across the region.

As Central Asia continues to face increasing pressure on shared natural resources, strengthening co-operation among institutions, experts, civil society, young activists and emerging professionals will remain essential.

The message from both initiatives is clear: Central Asia’s young people are not simply preparing for the future; they are already helping shape the solutions needed today.

The OSCE extends its gratitude to all partners and supporters who contributed to the success of the initiatives, including the Government of Uzbekistan for hosting the events in Samarkand, the Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan, Blue Peace Central Asia, CNH, FAO and the FAO World Food Forum Youth Chapter, the Swedish Aral Sea Society, A Master Fruit, the Scientific Information Centre of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination, and Suvchillar Maktabi Water School.