Action to support Central Asia’s environment
Water and natural resources are closely linked to both geography and the vast infrastructure systems put in place by the Soviet Union. The five Central Asian Republics are tightly interconnected and interdependent through the management of these resources. The region is also facing a number of common challenges including deforestation, desertification, natural disasters and Climate Change.
EC programmes in the environmental field
The EU is committed to helping Central Asia protect its environment: the European Commission’s Regional Strategy Paper for assistance to Central Asia (2007-2013) 
[277 KB] has identified the environment as a sector in need of major support. 16,2 millions have been allocated to environment for the 2007-2010 period.
To target environmental issues in Central Asia, the European Commission designed for the period 2007-2013 a Regional Environmental Programme for Central Asia, named Central ASia Environment. The First phase of the programme, focused on water, is currently ongoing and will run till 2012. The second phase of the programme is under formulation: it is expected that the programme will be broadened and will aim at supporting the development of the Environment and Water Cooperation Platform, the sustainable use and management of natural resources, the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and environmental awareness raising in the region.
Moreover, the European Union is currently assessing the idea of creating an Investment Facility which would promote additional investments and key infrastructures in the energy and environment sectors.
- More information on the Central Asia Environment programme