TASHKENT, March 27. /Dunyo IA/. On March 25–26, the international forum “Tashkent Water Week 2026” was held in the capital of Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The forum was given particular significance by its inclusive nature, which brought together representatives of governments, international and regional organizations, the private sector, and the scientific, expert and analytical community.

The main discussion centered on the introduction of technologies and innovations into water resource management in the context of climate change and the growing burden on the relevant infrastructure.

 As Murad Uzakov, Head of the Centre at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), noted, in the context of intensifying climate challenges, the coordination of efforts for the effective management of water resources is becoming a region-wide priority.

“In recent years, there has been an increasing impact of natural, anthropogenic and technogenic processes, which is having a negative effect on the region’s water and climate balance”, - he emphasized. According to him, such trends create significant challenges for socio-economic development, environmental well-being and ensuring the security of the states of the region.

Under these circumstances, the need is growing to rethink approaches to the rational use of water and to strengthen cooperation in this area. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the atmosphere of political trust that has taken shape, which is opening up new prospects for developing mutually beneficial solutions.

In addition, most disputed issues related to water management facilities in border areas have already been resolved, while the regimes and volumes of water withdrawal from transboundary rivers are being coordinated.

Moreover, the countries of the region have moved on to the implementation of joint projects. As an example, the ISRS representative cited the successful cooperation of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the construction of the Kambarata Hydropower Plant-1 and the joint use of the water and energy resources of the Naryn River.

It was noted that the countries of Central Asia are paying particular attention to the introduction of water-saving technologies and to the search for compromises between the water and energy sectors.

In this context, it was stated that the area of irrigated land in Uzbekistan where modern water-saving technologies are being applied has now reached 2.6 million hectares (60% of the total volume). For comparison, before 2017, such areas amounted to only 19 thousand hectares. As a result of the work being carried out, approximately 2.5 billion cubic meters of water are being saved annually.

As Murad Uzakov pointed out, “Afghanistan occupies a special place in regional water cooperation, and significant prospects for cooperation are seen here”. In this regard, the importance of developing joint activities with Afghan partners was highlighted in such areas as the modernization of irrigation systems, monitoring of the water situation, the introduction of innovations, the conduct of joint research, and the training of personnel.

In conclusion, the expert emphasized that the effectiveness of further water resource management directly depends on the coordination of efforts and the adoption of consolidated actions. He expressed confidence that the mutual enrichment of experience and joint research would make it possible to introduce best practices into the region’s water sector.

For information: The Forum is being held at the initiative of the Government of Uzbekistan with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan. Among the key organizers are Iteca Exhibitions, the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, the Center for Progressive Reforms, and other leading national scientific, educational and analytical institutions. The Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan acts as a strategic partner.