TASHKENT, March 24. /Dunyo IA/. The international forum Tashkent Water Week 2026 will open tomorrow in the capital, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The Forum is convened at the initiative of the Government of Uzbekistan with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources, Iteca Exhibitions International Exhibition Company, the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineers National Research University, and the Center for Progressive Reforms.

The key theme of the Forum: Technologies and Innovations in Water Resource Management: Central Asia and Global Water Cycle.

The Central Asian region is facing the increasing pressure on its water resources driven by climate change and rising water demand. The growing needs across households, industry and economic development are placing additional strain on the existing infrastructure, highlighting the need for more efficient and sustainable water management.

In this context, effective water resource management has become a strategic priority with direct implications for regional cooperation and Central Asia’s role in the global water cycle. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the accountable use of this vital resource. Agriculture across the region remains to be heavily dependent on irrigation, making the adoption of modern water-use practices the most essential. Ensuring reliable access to safe potable water is equally critical.

In Central Asia, water has become a defining strategic factor shaping economic stability and long-term development. The countries of the region are increasingly focused on finding effective approaches to the common water management initiatives.

Hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan, the Forum introduces a new format for dialogue, providing a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss innovative approaches, and develop joint water resources management strategies. Discussions will cover technological and digital advancements in water delivery, global trends and emerging challenges, as well as the role of water in food security and cross-sector collaboration. The Programme will also address green standards, sustainable land use, capacity building and human capital for the water sector.

The Forum’s Programme will feature 16 sessions, bringing together around 80 speakers and more than 1,200 delegates from 19 countries, including Austria, China, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the UAE, and the United Kingdom.

Designed as an integrated platform, the Programme brings together stakeholders across the entire spectrum of the professional community, from government authorities and international institutions to business leaders, researchers and young specialists. It creates a synergy of science, industry and business for supporting the practical application of research and innovation.

The Forum will be opened with a plenary session on Water and Sustainable Development: Dialogue, Trust and Common Solutions, setting the strategic agenda for the event.

The discussions will address international cooperation in the context of climate change, the role of international financial institutions in modernising water infrastructure, and importance of water resources for food and social security.

A central political highlight of the Forum will be the Ministerial Dialogue, a strategic session bringing together ministers and senior officials from across the region. The discussion will focus on balancing the interests of upstream and downstream countries, common water scheduling and monitoring, improved hydrological data exchange, and coordinated responses to climate-related risks, including droughts and floods, with the aim of enhancing regional water security and sustainable development.

The dedicated sessions will focus on access to safe drinking water and improving water use efficiency in agriculture, which remains to be the region’s largest consumer of water resources.

Human capital development is another key theme, with discussions to cover training of highly skilled water sector professionals, including stronger links between research, education and practical application.

Another strand of the Programme will address the role of women in the water sector. As part of the Women Water Week Initiative, implemented with the participation of international organisations, including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the agenda will explore leadership, professional development and greater inclusion of women in the water sector.

Water security will be a key focus of the Programme. On the second day, the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineers National Research University will host the Tashkent Forum: From Knowledge to Action: Aligning Water Science and Policy for Water Security in Central Asia.

In summary, by addressing one of the region’s most pressing challenges, the International Water Forum is intended to advance cooperation and coordination, while generating practical recommendations to support both regional and global water agendas.