ince 2009, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Program has been supporting knowledge exchange on sustainable land management both between different sectors and at different levels, including local, national and regional.
One of the important steps was the creation of the Regional Environmental Expert Network of Central Asia (GREEN Central Asia), which brings together organizations and independent experts from various sectors. GREEN CA aims to strengthen communication between specialists and their involvement in the development of various development projects and strategic planning processes in the Central Asian region. Their expertise helps implementing sustainable use of natural resources and the ideas of a green economy and low carbon development. The main element of the network is a consortium between Karaganda Ecological Museum and the NGO CAMP Alatoo (Kyrgyzstan).
In 2017, the Central Asian Regional Pasture Network became part of GREEN CA, created to facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of pasture management in the region, China and Mongolia. The work of the Network contributes to the dissemination of successful models and approaches in all countries, as it includes both individual practitioners and representatives of organizations and projects.
Specifically, in August 2014, the Program supported a study tour to Kyrgyzstan for representatives of government agencies and non-governmental organizations from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. During the study tour, participants learned about the pasture management experience of Kyrgyzstan and developed joint recommendations for improvement in all three countries.
In 2014, Bishkek hosted the Practitioners’ Conference on Advancement of Sustainable Pasture Management in Central Asia. The purpose of this event for politicians and practitioners from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and international experts was to exchange experience and knowledge and join efforts to promote reforms in the pasture sector. Representatives of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had the opportunity to learn about international experience and the experience of their Kyrgyz and Tajik colleagues.
Conference participants were provided with innovative tools and approaches to managing grazing lands, as well as proven mechanisms and processes. The program of the event included a field visit to one of the pasture committees in Chui oblast.
Some of the Important outcomes of the conference were the exchange of experience and knowledge, discussion of further actions and documentation of best practices and approaches. In addition to that, the results of the conference, an overview of the situation in the countries of the Central Asian region, analysis, comments and recommendations were included in the brochure “Sustainable Pasture Management in Central Asia”.
Field visits in Central Asia and study tours abroad help the exchange of experience and continuous training of practitioners and decision makers. Specifically, over the course of several years, long-term and short-term exchange visits were organized between representatives of the forestry services of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Specialists learned about the features and advantages of various natural resource management systems and established long-term cooperation.
