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UNECE works to improve dam safety in Central Asia

From 25 to 27 April 2017, representatives from key authorities and stakeholders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan along with experts from the Russian Federation met to discuss issues related to dam safety in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, as part of efforts by UNECE to improve the safety of dams in Central Asia. Rostekhnadzor, the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia, co-organised the seminar.


Seminar participants stressed the importance of national legislation in improving dam safety, and identified needs in the respective countries. Challenges uncovered included the need for new or revised laws to better control the safety of ageing water infrastructure, the establishment of responsible institutions and improved safety inspection procedures and monitoring. Better cooperation on transboundary rivers was also needed. Participants in the meeting stressed the importance of continued capacity-building and the development of cooperation between the countries, including with the support of UNECE. A field trip to the Saint Petersburg Flood Prevention Facility Complex demonstrated various aspects of safety measures to protect hydrotechnical installations.


UNECE has been engaged in Central Asia to develop capacity and policy with regard to dam safety for quite some time. This seminar concluded a project funded by the Russian Federation: “Capacity-building for cooperation on dam safety in Central Asia”.


The UNECE dam safety project is a component of the UNECE Water Convention and SPECA programmes of work. It is funded by the Russian Federation. A project evaluation of the project is under way in spring 2017. For further information please contact:


Mr. Bo Libert
UNECE Regional Adviser on Environment
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 2396
E-mail: [email protected]

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