Enhancing Weather and Climate Data Management Innovation in Tajikistan through an AI and Observation-Based High-Resolution Data Management Platform.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), invites qualified and interested firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in an upcoming solicitation for the provision of technical assistance for Enhancing Weather and Climate Data Management Innovation in Tajikistan through AI and Observation-Based High-Resolution Data Management Platform.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on behalf of CTCN, seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm to provide the technical assistance requested and endorsed by the National Designated Entity (NDE) of Tajikistan.

The objective of this assignment is to enhance Tajikistan’s climate resilience by developing and piloting an AI-enabled climate data management and quality control system that integrates ground-based and satellite observations, and by strengthening institutional capacity to generate and use reliable climate information for climate-informed decision-making. Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on glacier-fed hydrological systems. The country has already lost approximately 30% of its glacier area since 1930, with projections indicating further losses of 15–20% by 2050. Rising temperatures, increasing frequency of extreme weather events, and water stress are intensifying risks across the water–energy–food nexus.

Water-related hazards account for over 70% of natural disasters and cause economic losses of up to 1.4% of GDP annually. Despite these risks, Tajikistan lacks high-resolution, real-time climate data necessary for effective water resource management, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation.

Current hydrometeorological systems rely heavily on sparse ground observations with limited integration of satellite-based data and advanced analytics. Institutional and technical constraints further limit the capacity of the national hydrometeorological agency to deliver accurate forecasts and actionable climate information.

As a result, critical decision-making processes such as reservoir management, irrigation planning, flood forecasting, and early warning systems are constrained by incomplete and unreliable data, reducing the effectiveness of climate risk management for government institutions and vulnerable communities exposed to glacier-related and hydrological hazards.

Expected Outputs include:

1. Project Management (Mandatory Output)

2. Inception, National Climate Data Management and AI Integration Framework Developed.

3. AI-Based Climate Data Quality Control Pilot Implemented

4. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Delivered

5. Scale-up Roadmap, Sustainability Strategy and Investment Pathways Developed.

Detailed requirements will be provided in the solicitation documents to be issued following the closure of this REOI.

Note: At this REOI stage, it is sufficient to click on the 'Express Interest' button in UNGM and no documentation is required.

Specific Requirements/Information The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is the Operational arm of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and hosted by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The mission of the CTCN is to promote accelerated development and transfer of climate technologies at the request of developing countries for energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient development. CTCN provides technical assistance to the countries using its own funds ( which it receives through voluntary contributions of donor) or through the other funding sources specifically the Green Climate Funds (GCF) through the Readiness Programme. The requests for Technical Assistance (TA) are submitted to the CTCN by the National Designated Entity (NDE) of the respective country. CTCN has developed a response plan and expects to implement the technical assistance.

In case you are not a CTCN network member yet, you may apply for this REOI and subsequent solicitation (Request for Proposal), subject to the condition that you submit your completed application for CTCN membership before the proposal submission closing date, which will be communicated in the subsequent Request for Proposal in due course of time. Furthermore, the contract award – should your proposal be selected – is conditional to your application for CTCN network membership being approved by CTCN management. The requirement to join the CTCN network is only relevant to the main bidder and not subcontractors. Please find more information to join CTCN Network at- https://www.ctc-n.org/network

The purpose of this REOI is to identify suitable firms who may be invited for the Request for Proposal after the REOI is closed. In addition to CTCN registration, all applicants should also be registered (free of charge) at United Nations Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org).

IMPORTANT:

Please note that this REOI is not an invitation for submission of tenders. Its purpose is to identify companies that would be interested and eligible to participate in the solicitation when issued. UNON will examine the outcome of this request for EOI and will consider those companies that have expressed their interest . UNON reserves the right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or solicitation process. Thus, submitting a reply to this Request for EOI does not automatically guarantee your company will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued.