Naryn, Kyrgyzstan
Date
23 June 2026 - 7 July 2026
Time
The University of Central Asia, in partnership with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and within the framework of the Mountain Partnership, is pleased to announce the call for applications for the first IPROMO Central Asia Summer School. This regional edition of the International Programme on Research and Training on Sustainable Mountain Development (IPROMO) will bring together professionals from across Central Asia to strengthen regional capacity on climate change and mountain systems.
Held under the theme “Glaciers: understanding, preserving, and adapting to climate change,” the course will examine glacier retreat and its implications for regional security and sustainable mountain development. It will place particular emphasis on adaptation strategies, monitoring approaches, and transboundary cooperation in the Central Asian context. The course will also contribute to the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034).
Objectives:
The IPROMO Central Asia Summer School will focus on strengthening technical and institutional capacity and cooperation on sustainable mountain development and glacier preservation.
Designed primarily for young, mid-level institutional and government officials from Central Asia, the course aims to equip participants with the knowledge, tools and skills needed to design and implement joint adaptation and mitigation strategies, monitoring systems and risk management frameworks related to glacier and cryosphere loss.
The course will also support regional cooperation by fostering dialogue on transboundary water management, climate diplomacy and shared resource management.
Lectures, case studies and activities will explore climate change in mountain regions, glacier preservation and their critical interlinkages with water management, food systems, biodiversity and livelihoods.
Structure and venue
The summer school will take place in person in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, at the UCA campus, from 23 June to 7 July 2026.
The course will accommodate approximately 28 participants, selected among mid-level government officials, practitioners and specialists working on mountain and cryosphere issues in Central Asia.
The programme will include lectures, seminars, group work and two field trips. Three main modules will structure the course:
- Introduction to sustainable mountain development and relevant international and regional frameworks
Glacier preservation and sustainable water management, including scientific, policy and community-based approaches - Cooperation and dialogue, with a focus on transboundary governance, water management, conflict prevention and climate diplomacy
- Participants will also work in groups to develop a final project on glacier preservation.
- Sessions will run daily from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00, with breaks in between.
The course will be delivered in English.
Requirements:
Applicants are expected to have an excellent command of English, a university degree - preferably in environmental sciences, climate change, hydrology, geology, geography, or related fields - and relevant professional experience. Given the field-based nature of the course and the mountain environment in which activities will take place, participants should also demonstrate a high level of adaptability.
Funding and Logistics:
The programme will cover accommodation (in shared rooms), meals, and field trip expenses. A limited number of fellowships for international travel may be available and will be allocated by the organizing committee.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online via the official application link, and must include a curriculum vitae (CV) in Word or PDF format. A curriculum vitae should be uploaded as a Word or PDF file.
Deadline:
The deadline for applications is 15 May 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by the end of May 2026.
Applicants will be notified by end of May 2026.
Contact: For further queries, please contact Fabio.Parisi@fao.org.