The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in partnership with the Global Water Partnership (GWP), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), convened a webinar on 13 May 2024 to foster the exchange of knowledge and showcase best practices for effective drought management across the Asian continent.
Kicking off the proceedings was Ms. Louisa Karika, the UNCCD Secretariat Regional Liaison Officer for the Asia Pacific region who introduced the newly established Community of Learning and Practice (CLP) for Drought Management in Asia. Ms. Karika presented the mains objectives of the Asia CLP which is a peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and capacity building platform that will aim to bolster the formulation of national drought management, facilitate coordination among stakeholders, and galvanize investments in holistic drought management strategies.
The keynote address was then delivered by the Dr. Giriraj Amarath, Principal Researcher, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience at IWMI. Dr. Amarath reflected upon the multifaceted challenges inherent in drought mitigation efforts across the Asia Pacific region. Central to his discourse was the global reverberation of drought-induced adversities, spanning from compromised food security and public health concerns to economic instability. Emphasizing the imperative of safeguarding both the quality and quantity of water resources, Dr. Amarath underscored proactive measures adopted by nations, which have yielded tangible reductions in drought-related fatalities. Furthermore, he noted the indispensable nature of an integrated approach to drought management, predicated on robust pillars encompassing monitoring and early warning systems, proactive mitigation strategies, and resilience-building measures. Crucially, Dr. Amarath advocated for enhanced cooperation and knowledge exchange at local, national, and global echelons.
Subsequently, Ms. Ludmilla Kiktenko, Advisor at CAREC, discussed in depth the content of the “Regional Strategy for Drought Risk Management and Mitigation in Central Asia for 2021–2030”. This comprehensive plan envisages fortifying monitoring mechanisms, conducting rigorous risk assessments, and instituting proactive drought prevention measures while fostering regional cooperation and integration. Yet, Ms. Kiktenko also acknowledged the lack of a designated implementing body and allocated budgetary provisions, echoing sentiments of cautious optimism regarding its long-term results.
Turning our gaze to the Middle East, the discourse was enriched by the insights of Mr. Rashyd Zaaboul, Climate Change Modeler at ICBA. Delving into the intricate fabric of climate change dynamics pervading the region, Mr. Zaaboul elucidated the existential challenges posed by droughts, floods, and heatwaves. He advocated for a holistic paradigm shift towards water resource management, predicated on sophisticated modelling frameworks, augmented data sharing protocols, and heightened intergovernmental collaboration. Highlighting commendable strides in adaptive capacity witnessed across various Middle Eastern nations, Mr. Zaaboul pinpointed persistent hurdles such as groundwater depletion and soil degradation, underscoring the imperatives of sustained research investments, stakeholder collaboration, and innovative problem-solving approaches.
Shifting focus to the South Asia Subregion, Dr. Senaka Basnayake – Director, Climate Resilience at ADPC, shed light on the intricate interplay between monsoon variability and the region's susceptibility to both deluges and severe droughts. Introducing a cutting-edge tool devised by the organization to monitor river flows and allied indicators, Dr. Senaka elucidated its manifold applications in bolstering agricultural resilience. Furthermore, Dr. Senaka provided a glimpse into ongoing endeavours, including collaborative initiatives with UNCCD, the formulation of regional guidelines for smart agriculture, and the deployment of drought monitoring and forecasting tools. Emphasizing the imperative of cross-regional knowledge dissemination and heightened collaborative frameworks, he delineated forthcoming plans encompassing capacity-building workshops, training programmes, and expansionary endeavours into territories such as Vietnam.
This webinar underscored a collective commitment towards fostering resilience and sustainability amidst the spectre of drought in the Asian continent. As stakeholders unite in a spirit of collaboration, armed with knowledge, and fortified by best practices, the path forward towards effective drought management in Asia appears increasingly navigable.