In 2024, Uzbekistan made strides in water management, concreting 550 kilometers of canals and ditches, improving water access on 200,000 hectares of land. This initiative saved 450mn cubic meters of water for irrigation, and with the efforts of farmers and clusters, an additional 13,000 kilometers of internal networks were concreted. These measures have improved water distribution and efficiency, with the country’s transparent water management system delivering twice as much water to the land this year, ensuring the proper allocation of 6bn cubic meters of water.
On November 8, 2024, a scientific-practical conference titled "Water in Central Asia: The Future is in Cooperation"convened in Tashkent, bringing together experts and leaders from across the region to discuss the critical role of water management and cooperation in ensuring sustainable water use in Central Asia.
Opening the conference, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management, Shavkat Khamrayev, highlighted the major reforms in the water sector driven by the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He emphasized the significance of the recent video selector meeting chaired by the president, which set key targets for water conservation and efficient irrigation practices.
Minister Khamrayev also discussed the extensive application of water-saving technologies across Uzbekistan. In 2024, these technologies were implemented on 2mn hectares of farmland, with plans to expand this by another 500,000 hectares in 2025. He also mentioned the subsidization system of UZS 1mn ($78) per hectare for laser-leveled land, a program initially launched in Karakalpakstan, which will now be extended to Khorezm and beyond.
Recognizing the importance of energy in irrigation, the Minister noted that Uzbekistan relies on more than 1,600 pumping stations for irrigation, which require a substantial amount of electricity. In light of this, President Mirziyoyev declared 2025 as the "Year of Improving Pump Efficiency" in the water sector, aiming to further enhance the energy efficiency of these critical systems.
The conference also addressed regional water management issues, focusing on digitalizing water accounting, creating a transparent system, expanding water-saving technologies, and building concrete canals for more efficient water distribution.
Nurlan Nurjigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, emphasized that discussions like these are vital for achieving effective water management in the face of growing water demand in the region. Representatives from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as officials from the Interstate Water Management Coordination Commission, international organizations, and scientists, all participated in the conference, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in managing shared water resources.
A key message that resonated throughout the event was the shared responsibility for water conservation. Participants reiterated that water is not a national issue, but a regional one, and that the sustainable management of this vital resource requires collective action. As the conference concluded, calls were made for continued collaboration, innovative solutions, and the efficient use of water to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Central Asia.
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