Central Asia Bets on a New Water–Land Pact to Survive Environmental Degradation By Kizito Makoye Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service.

Central Asia Bets on a New Water–Land Pact to Survive Environmental Degradation By Kizito Makoye https://www.ipsnews.net/2026/06/ccentral-asia-bets-on-a-new-water-land-pact-to-survive-environmental-degradation/ SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, Jun 10 2026 (IPS) - As ministers, diplomats and development officials assembled in Samarkand Congress Centre for a ceremonial family photograph, the mood carried unusual symbolism. Behind the smiles and formalities stood a region confronting a harder reality: rivers are shrinking, soils are tiring, temperatures are rising, and the old ways of managing land and water are no longer working. Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service.