About the conference

The EU-Central Asia Young Leaders' Conference: Shifting the Paradigm for Sustainable Water Action? will take place on October 30-31, 2024, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Co-organised by the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia and Nordic International University, with support from the Agency for Youth Affairs of Uzbekistan and UzReportTV, the event focuses on advancing sustainable water management in Central Asia.

This regional gathering will bring together 100 young leaders under 35 from the five Central Asian countries. Attendees will include youth-led initiatives, civil society, researchers, media representatives, young politicians, and government experts. High-level officials, including Uzbekistan's Minister of Water Management and delegates from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and the EU, will address the participants, alongside representatives from EU Member States, the UN, WHO, and OSCE.

The conference will feature an opening session, a high-level panel, and discussions on EU-Central Asia cooperation for sustainable water action. It will offer interactive workshops and a field visit to the National Research University "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers" for hands-on experience.

This unique event aims to empower young Central Asian leaders in water management, strengthening regional collaboration and enhancing the EU’s role in fostering climate resilience and sustainable development in Central Asia.