ISLAMABAD, August 13 (PakhtunEnglish): Uzbekistan is establishing a regional standard in water resource management by setting ambitious goals to mitigate climate-induced shortages through large-scale conservation efforts, infrastructure improvements, and digital innovations.
Addressing concerns raised by international experts ten years ago regarding the effects of climate change, reduced rainfall, and melting glaciers on Central Asia’s water supply, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management, Shavkat Khamrayev, highlighted projections indicating a 5 per cent decrease in water resources by 2025 and a 10 per cent drop by 2030.
“President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has assigned a critical task: to ensure water access for the population while compensating for deficits caused by climate change,” Khamrayev stated.
Thanks to a series of reforms, Uzbekistan saved 7 billion cubic meters of water in 2023 and is expected to save 8 billion in 2024, with a target of 10 billion projected for 2025—aligning with earlier forecasts of water shortages. By 2030, annual savings are anticipated to reach 15 billion cubic meters.
Infrastructure projects have already shown tangible improvements in cities like Nukus and Gulistan, where the lining of canals, installation of drainage systems, and construction of vertical wells have helped lower groundwater levels, eliminate flooding risks, and enhance irrigation. Similar initiatives in Urgench, Naryn, and various other regions—supported by funding from the Islamic Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank—have increased water flow efficiency and reduced reliance on expensive pumping stations.
With natural channels losing an estimated 14 billion cubic meters of water each year, 2024 has been labelled a “breakthrough year” for canal lining. The government allocated 676.7 billion soums for the reconstruction of 555 km of canals, while farms and clusters rehabilitated 13,500 km of internal irrigation networks.
Over the past seven years, water-saving technologies, such as drip irrigation, have been implemented across nearly half of Uzbekistan’s 4.3 million hectares of irrigated land. The number of local manufacturers of water-saving equipment has surged from three producers in 2019 to over 60 today, reducing costs and ensuring maintenance support.
Electricity consumption in the water sector has decreased from 8.3 billion kWh in 2017 to 6.5 billion kWh in 2024, even with the modernisation of major pumping stations. In 2025, the government plans to prioritise the upgrading of medium and small pumps to further cut costs.
Uzbekistan has adopted digitalisation as a key component for enhancing transparency and efficiency. Currently, over 13,000 water-gauging stations operate under the “Smart Water” system, 10,296 reclamation wells monitor groundwater, and nearly 1,750 pumping stations are equipped with automated water consumption controls.
Under the President’s “From Poverty to Prosperity” initiative, 3.2 trillion soums have been allocated to enhance irrigation, electricity, internet access, roads, and other infrastructure in 1,000 underdeveloped mahallas. In 2025, projects will be completed that include 1,882 km of irrigation networks, 380 km of pipelines, and 818 wells, which will improve water supply for 467,000 households.
Minister Khamrayev remarked that Uzbekistan’s vision extends beyond its borders. “We call for united efforts to launch a Regional Program for the Introduction of Water-Saving Technologies in Central Asia,” he emphasised, noting that sustainable water management is crucial for regional peace, prosperity, and food security.
