Policy Dialogue: “Gender and Youth in Water & Energy – Building Inclusive Futures for Central Asia”

The policy dialogue “Gender and Youth in Water & Energy: Building Inclusive Futures for Central Asia” took place on November 3–4, 2025, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The event provided a platform for advancing gender and youth inclusion in the governance of water and energy resources across Central Asia.

 

The dialogue opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Caroline Milow of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Stefanie Wesch of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and Dr. Pál Dunay, Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. The closing remarks were delivered by Ambassador Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The event focused on strengthening collaboration among regional networks that address the interconnected food–water–energy nexus. Key networks included Drops of Future, a youth-led platform; the Women in Water Diplomacy Network, a global community of women water decision-makers and experts; and Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy. These initiatives promote inclusive policymaking by amplifying women’s and youth voices and fostering intergenerational dialogue to build sustainable and equitable futures for the region.

Participants included policymakers, experts, and professionals from across Central Asia — among them members of the Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of national ministries, regional authorities, and international organizations such as the World Bank, OSCE, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Discussions throughout the two days emphasized the need for collaborative and inclusive approaches to address the region’s environmental and developmental challenges.

Dr. Milena Latinovic from the GFZ CAWA Green Team co-organized the event, presenting GFZ’s activities in Central Asia during a PICO session. She also moderated the World Café discussions focused on cross-regional cooperation.

The dialogue was jointly organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, PIK – Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, German Council on Foreign Relations, OSCE Academy in Bishkek, and the Central Asia and Afghanistan Women and Water Association (CAAWWA), under the framework of the Green Central Asia Project.