On 17 November 2025, a Conference on international water cooperation and the improvement of water legislation in the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and other international partners. The event brought together representatives of government bodies, regional and international organizations, diplomatic missions, research centers, and experts to exchange views on key reforms and innovations in water resources management.
The main objectives of the conference were to present new areas of cooperation in water management among the Central Asian countries; to exchange experience on public water governance and institutional reforms; and to discuss issues related to water allocation and accounting, as well as the introduction of modern digital solutions in the water sector.
One of the central topics of the conference was the presentation of the first Water Code in the country’s history. The Code establishes the legal basis for sustainable water use, transparent sector regulation, and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. It enables the introduction of a more flexible, integrated, and science-based model of water resources management in line with modern international standards and best practices in Central Asia.
The participation of vice-ministers of water resources from the Central Asian countries and representatives of international organizations underscored the growing importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared water challenges. The conference discussed joint initiatives aimed at improving water supply, introducing water-saving technologies, and developing programs tailored to the needs of the population, particularly in the Aral Sea basin.
Speakers placed special emphasis on financing the water sector and attracting investment for the modernization of water infrastructure. New financial mechanisms and models of international cooperation aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability and transparency of water resources management were also considered.
During the Water Governance panel, Irina Yugay, Acting Manager of the CAREC Water Initiatives Support Programme, delivered a presentation on the role of water councils, which are planned to be established at the national, regional, and district levels to ensure the engagement of all stakeholders in the water management process. It was noted that with the support of CAREC, a small basin council for the Padshaata River, part of the Syr Darya basin, was piloted in Uzbekistan in 2018. Currently, within the framework of the “Climate-Resilient IWRM in the Zarafshan River Basin” project, the Zarafshan Basin Council has been established. It includes representatives of five regions of Uzbekistan located within the Zarafshan basin, thereby fully ensuring the application of the basin approach in water management. The discussion also addressed ways to ensure the sustainability of these new institutional structures and their role in strengthening national water security.
Following the conference, a meeting of the Sectoral Working Group on Water Resources Management, Water Supply, and Sanitation was held, where special attention was given to the implementation of the Water Resources Management and Irrigation Sector Development Program of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025–2028 and the alignment of its priorities with donor initiatives.
The holding of this conference in Tashkent reaffirms Uzbekistan’s aspiration to become a regional hub for knowledge and experience exchange in the field of water resources, as well as the country’s commitment to sustainable development, innovation, and open international dialogue. The Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with its international partners, continues its efforts to improve water legislation, enhance the efficiency of water resources management, and implement strategic programs.
Contact information:
Irina Yugay
Acting Manager of the Water Initiatives Support Programme, Manager of the Climate-sensitive IWRM in the Zarafshan river basin project, CAREC
wisspecialist@carececo.org