Published on 14 April 2026

Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

In Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Switzerland is involved in the areas of water and energy as well as sustainable economic development. Governance, human rights and gender equality are promoted regionally and as transversal themes, as is climate change mitigation.

Three women in Kyrgyzstan working in the traditional textile industry.

Context Central Asia

The Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, they have developed at different speeds but face similar challenges, notably in sustainable management of the scarce water resources and transboundary water cooperation, limited access to public decision-making processes and problems in establishing a diversified economy. Climate change will have a significant impact and add further stress on water supplies in the region. Switzerland is committed to peace, prosperity and social cohesion in Central Asia and supports climate change mitigation projects. It is guided in this by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN's 2030 Agenda.

Water and energy

Switzerland is supporting Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in taking joint, scientifically based steps to make the use of their scarce water resources climate-resilient, sustainable and inclusive. The aim is to better protect the population from natural disasters and to secure access to drinking water and sanitation facilities. To achieve this, Switzerland promotes the sustainable planning and use of river basins and the anchoring of the principle of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in national legal frameworks. It also promotes cross-border cooperation in the water sector and water diplomacy in the region.

Sustainable economic development

The Central Asian economy has been growing strongly in the past few years but remains fragile. Switzerland supports Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in rebuilding an inclusive economy. To this end, it promotes reforms to improve the economic framework conditions for investment and supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating jobs. Switzerland also promotes a responsible, inclusive and transparent financial sector, and supports the training of workers in selected market-relevant areas.

Governance, human rights, gender equality and climate protection

The national and political conditions in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan vary greatly. Regionally, Switzerland is committed to promoting human rights and gender equality, and bolstering civil society. Switzerland also supports scientifically based water management and resilient infrastructure, and the development of sustainable value chains. In addition, its work includes mobilising private sector investment and climate financing for climate change mitigation measures. Regional cooperation benefits from joint solutions to address challenges in water, trade and migration.

Approach and main partners

Switzerland has supported ongoing reforms in Central Asia since the early 1990s and is closely coordinating its activities with the project partners involved. The Swiss cooperation programme for 2026–29 is being jointly implemented by the SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Switzerland’s main partners in Central Asia are:

  • National public and private sector partners;
  • Local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations;
  • Multilateral organisations: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), development banks (the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)) and the Bretton Woods Institutions.

Swiss representation in Kyrgyzstan

Swiss representation in Tajikistan

Swiss representation in Uzbekistan

Documents

Contact

SDC / Caucasus, Central and East Asia (CCEA)
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern