ABOUT CONFERENCE
Within the framework of the "Green Central Asia'' Initiative, the Kazakh-German University has been organizing an international conference - "The Silk Road of Knowledge: Science Meets Green Policy" since 2020. Over the past years, the conference has brought together more than 2,000 participants and 100 organizations, serving as a unique platform for dialogue between policymakers, researchers, technical experts, and civil society representatives.
Objective of the conference:the conference aimed to generate practical solutions and science-based recommendations to support sustainable development across the five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — in the context of growing climate and socio-ecological challenges:
- Sharing the latest scientific findings and innovations in water management, land use, agriculture, climate security, and energy transformation, closely aligned with the thematic focus areas of Green Central Asia Phase II (GCA II);
- Discussing science-based recommendations to inform political and economic strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Central Asia;
- Presenting and reflecting on integrated approaches for building resilience amid rising socio-ecological uncertainties;
- Fostering the engagement of youth and women in research and amplifying their voices in policy-making processes;
- Strengthening the interaction between science and policy in the region.
Conference sessions: The hybrid-format conference will cover a broad range of pressing issues through pre-conference events, panel discussions, and thematic sessions. The sessions include:
- Welcome Session
- Session I. Glacier Monitoring and Modeling in Central Asia in Times of Climate Change
- Session II. Gender and Climate Change in Central Asia
- Session III. Innovative Approaches in Hydrological Forecasting in Central Asia
- Session IV. Climate Impacts Online Tool for Central Asia
- Session V. Empowering Drought Resilience in Central Asia: A Hands-on Session on the Droughtmap-ASB Tool
- Session VI. Urban Climate Resilience: Sustainable Planning for Cities
Each session is designed to promote transdisciplinary exchange among science, policy, and practice, with the involvement of key speakers and experts from the region and beyond.
THE CONFERENCE STARTS
Sessions
Agenda
Opening remarks:
Dr. Caroline Milow, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Dr. Wolrad Rommel, Kazakh – German University in Almaty (DKU)
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kazakhstan (TBC)
Ekaterina Gorshkova, DKU
SESSION I. GLACIER MONITORING AND MODELING IN CENTRAL ASIA IN TIMES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Host of the session: GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Chair: Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ (online)
Key speakers:
Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ
GCA Expeditions to Taj and Uzb (TBC)
UNESCO or Friborg Uni (TBC)
Discussants:
Prof. Martin Hölzle, University of Fribourg (TBC)
Prof. Dr. Michael Zemp, WGMS World Glacier Monitoring Service (TBC)
Martina Barandun, University of Fribourg (TBC)
Dr. Larissa Kogutenko, UNESCO Almaty Regional Office (TBC)
SESSION II. GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN CA
Host of the session: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Chair:Stefanie Wesch, PIK
Key speakers:
Shohida Tulieva, “Women in Water Diplomacy” Network in Central Asia and Afghanistan
Burulcha Sulaimanova, OSCE Academy
Nadira Mukhamejan, PhD researcher, University of Geneva (online)
Gulsara Monkaeva, Laboratory of Regional Climate Change, Institute of Geography and Water Security in Almaty
SESSION III. INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN HYDROLOGICAL FORECASTING IN CENTRAL ASIA
Host of the session: GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Chair: Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ (online)
Key Speakers:
Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ
Tursyn Tillakarim, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (TBC)
Tobias Siegfried, Hydrosolutions GmbH (TBC)
Discussants:
Elvira Omorova, Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic – Kyrgyzhydromet,
Natalya Strakhova, Hydrometeorological Service Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan (online)
Marina Agalhanova, Hydro-Meteorological Service of Turkmenistan (online)
Safarhon Sharofiddinov, National Hydrometeorological Service of Tajikistan (online)
SESSION IV. CLIMATE IMPACTS ONLINE TOOL FOR CENTRAL ASIA
Host of the session: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Chair: Stefanie Wesch, PIK
Key Speakers:
Diegopablo Pineda, PIK
Valeriy Osypov, Ukraiian Hydrometerological Institute of the SES of Ukraine and NAS of Ukraine (online)
SESSION V. EMPOWERING DROUGHT RESILIENCE IN CENTRAL ASIA: A HANDS-ON SESSION ON THE DROUGHTMAP-ASB TOOL
Host of the session: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle (MLU)
Chairs: Prof. Dr. Christopher Conrad, MLU; Dr. Ing. Muhammad Usman, MLU
Key Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Christopher Conrad, MLU;
Dr. ing. Muhammad Usman, MLU
Technical Session:
- Registration of Bulletin Service by all participants of the session.
- Interactive Session on Droughtmap-ASB tool Dashboard & Bulletin Service: Open discussion with participants
Feedback Session:
Feedback and improvements of the Bulletin Service: User-specific needs and suggested improvements of the tool (Teaser for the session)
SESSION VI. URBAN CLIMATE RESILIENCE: SUSTAINABLE PLANNING FOR CITIES
Host of the session: Kazakh-German University in Almaty
Chair: Sergey Tsoi, national expert in the field of sustainable development and ESG transformation
Key speakers:
Dr. Rahat Sabyrbekov, Bentley University
Dr. Qaisar Saddique, Research Department II: Climate Resilience, PIK (online)
Adil Nurmakov, Urban Forum Kazakhstan
Bermet Borubaeva, BishkekSmog NGO
Panel discussion: Moderator: Sergey Tsoi, national expert in the field of sustainable development and ESG transformation
FORMAT
1. Each of the sessions above will last parallel for 1,5 hours in a hybrid format (via Zoom app.)
2. Each thematic session will be moderated by one chair and two co-chairs. The moderators define their session’s thematic scope.
3. Each session will include presentations by key-speakers (1-2 max.) representing high-level economy, policy or entrepreneurs. The key speakers formulate political and economic demands for future researchers/scientists working in the Central Asian region.
4. In each session, chairs present policy proposals covering:
- Introduction to a science-based solution / ‘know-how’
- Explanation and analysis of one policy issue
- Analysis of a chosen solution / ‘know-how’ as a policy option
- Key takeaways and recommendations
5. Three - four scientific community discussants are invited to reflect on the presented policy proposals.