As part of the "Green Patrols" program, the Second Youth Forum of the Syr Darya River Basin, which took place in the Tajik northern city of Guliston on September 30, brought together over 150 participants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, says press release issued by the Second Youth Forum. The event has become continuation of the last year's forum, which laid the foundation for creating a platform for regional cooperation in integrated water and natural resource management.
"The Syr Darya River Basin Youth Forum has become a permanent platform for engaging and interacting with Green Patrol representatives on issues related to managing the Syr Darya River Basin's water resources. In turn, the Green Patrols act as ambassadors in their communities, promoting the rational use of water and natural resources in the context of climate change," said Daler Usmonov, coordinator of the Green Patrols.
The forum also serves to strengthen cooperation between young activists, experts, and representatives of governmental and public organizations, helping to find collaborative approaches to cross-border environmental issues.
One of the central events was the group work sessions, where participants discussed ways to solve specific environmental problems in their respective countries. The youth actively proposed ideas on implementing water-saving technologies, improving drinking water quality, and developing environmental education in schools and universities.
The "Green Patrols" program has been active since 2022, initially involving schools and extracurricular centers in 14 cities and districts of Tajikistan's Sughd Province. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan soon joined the program, expanding its reach and strengthening regional cooperation in water resource management.
