The 6th Tashkent Water Security Lectures, an annual event dedicated to advancing the discourse on water security in Central Asia, took place on October 20, 2023, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This year's lectures were dedicated to "Decision-Making Support to Improve Water Security Under Climate Change in Central Asia," bringing together experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues related to water management in the region.

Water is crucial for the social and economic stability in Central Asia. However, water is becoming scarce in the region, among others due to the negative impacts of climate change. In times of increased demand on water resources and decreasing amount of water resources due to climate change, science-based support for decision making process in water and climate risk management can be crucial to improve water security in the region. In the frame of the Green Central Asia Program, the 6th Tashkent Water Security Lectures (TWSL) was organized on October 20, 2023 at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME), National Research University (NRU). The 6th TWSL is a joint event organized between the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ Potsdam) and TIIAME NRU. Renowned scientists from the field of climate and water security in Central Asia as well as representatives of decision makers gave talks during the TWSL in Tashkent.

Central Asia faces significant challenges in managing its water resources, compounded by the impacts of climate change. As droughts become more frequent and glaciers melt at an accelerated pace, there is an urgent need to develop strategies that ensure water security for the region's growing population. The 6th Tashkent Water Security Lectures aims at providing a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on these vital issues.

The event featured a diverse lineup of renowned speakers and panelists, including water experts, climate scientists, and government officials from Uzbekistan and beyond. Speakers engaged in discussions and shared insights on:

-  Central Asia’s Aspiration to Achieve Water Security Through

Understanding Its Essence

-  Dynamics in Water Resources Availability: Case from Uzbekistan

-  Studying farmers' cooperation in water management in Central Asia

-  Water Security Outlook for Khorezm, Navoi and Samarkand provinces of Uzbekistan

-  How joint research collaborations with Germany contribute to more efficient regional water management in Uzbekistan

-  Monitoring and forecasting water availability for improved decision-making process in Central Asia

As the last session of the conference, the panel discussion with following speakers took place and lively discussion was organized:

-  Mr. Bahtiyor Pulatov, Representative, Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Uzbekistan;

-  Ms. Caroline Milow, Program Manager Green Central Asia, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Tashkent;

-  Mr. Iskandar Abdullaev, Guest Professor at Giessen University, Germany

-  Ms. Dilorom Fayzieva, Parliamentarian, Legislative Chamber of the “Oliy Majlis” (Parliament), Uzbekistan.

Organized by GFZ and TIIAME-NRU, the Tashkent Water Security Lectures have become a tradition and an essential gathering for water management professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders in Central Asia. The lectures facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and solutions that are vital to ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the face of climate change.