The latest session of the Regional Working Group on Water Quality (RWG-WQ) was conducted by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia as part of the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), in Astana, Kazakhstan. The aim of this event was to facilitate a comprehensive dialogue among countries on water quality management in Central Asia.

UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents contributed to the meeting by making a presentation on “Development of joint measures to prevent and respond to pollution of the Syrdarya River in emergency situations: UNECE work on tailings safety and climate change”.

The UNECE presented information about the project "Enhancing Activities in Uzbekistan in Water Supply, Sanitation, and Protection of Water Resources from Accidental Pollution in the Context of Climate Change," funded by SDC and implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which includes a regional component. RWG-WQ members will be engaged in regional events to exchange knowledge and enhance capacity for strengthening tailings dam safety, preventing/reducing accidental transboundary water pollution, and managing pollution risks.

Presentation by Ms. Claudia Kamke