The Central Asia Regional Information Network (CARIN; https://centralasiarin.net) meeting took place 13-17 September 2023 on the shores of Issyk Kul in eastern Kyrgyzstan. The keynote address “Operational Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration for Central Asia“ was delivered by Dr. Gabriel Senay (USGS/EROS). The meeting featured presentations by many LCLUC investigators including Prof. Ranjeet John (University of South Dakota), Dr. Qiongyu Huang (Smithsonian Institution), Dr. Munavar Zhumanova (Michigan State University), Dr. Krishna Vadrevu (NASA/MSFC), Prof. Xin Xi (Michigan Technological University), NASA LCLUC Program Officer Dr. Garik Gutman, and US Coordinator of CARIN, Prof. Geoff Henebry (Michigan State University).

Research talks from regional scientists included Prof. Vadim Yapiyev (Nazarbayev University, KZ), Dr. Alexey Terekhov (Institute of Information and Computational Technologies, KZ), Dr. Lira Sagynbekova (Independent Scholar, KG),  Dr. Miyasar Zhumanova (Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, UZ), Ms. Rebecca King (Kazakh British Technical University, KZ), Dr. Maksim Kulikov, (University of Central Asia), Dr. Gulnaz Jalilova (Kyrgyz State University, KG), and Regional Coordinator of CARIN, Prof. Sagynbek Orunbaev (American University of Central Asia).  Two talks from German colleagues working in Central Asia rounded out the research presentations: Prof. Dirk Bruckmann (Rhine-Waal University, DE) and Mr. Gerald Hermann (Organic Services GmbH).

Participants met in break-out groups by thematic areas (Agriculture & Water; Pastoral Resources; Hazards, Urbanization) to discuss research opportunities and challenges in Central Asia through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change.

Prior to the meeting, a select group of early career scientists (ECS) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan participated in 2.5 days of scientific, technical, and professional training at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek. Trainers included Dr. Gutman, Dr. Senay, Prof. Orunbaev, Prof. Henebry, and Dr. Monika Tomaszewska (Michigan State University). On the final day of the meeting, each of the ECS delivered a 5-minute flash talk on their current research or research interests. The ECS cohort training has continued online with a series of six monthly webinars on professional skills delivered by Prof. Henebry.