International Conference on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Central Asia Takes Place in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The capital of Uzbekistan is hosting a three-day International Conference titled “Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Central Asia.”

The forum has brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector to discuss pressing issues of sustainable water management in Central Asia.

Reforms and Achievements in Uzbekistan’s Water Sector

In recent years, Uzbekistan has carried out large-scale reforms aimed at providing the population with quality drinking water and developing modern sanitation systems.

Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, strategic priorities were identified for the sector, enabling significant progress.

Over the past eight years, 27.5 trillion soums have been invested in the water sector, including 16 trillion soums (58.4%) in the last three years alone.

Sixty percent of the investments came from the state budget, while 40% were financed by international financial institutions.

These funds have been used to build and renovate 3,627 facilities and lay more than 40,600 kilometers of water supply and sanitation networks.

As a result, the share of the population with access to drinking water has reached 82.1%, while access to sanitation services stands at 20.5%.

International Projects and Cooperation

In 2025, Uzbekistan implemented 21 international projects totaling US$2.18 billion in partnership with leading financial institutions, including:

– 4 projects with the Asian Development Bank,
– 7 with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
– 3 with the World Bank,
– 2 with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank,
– 2 with the Saudi Fund for Development and the OPEC Fund,
– 2 with the French Development Agency,
– and 1 project with SUEZ.

These initiatives envisage the construction of 9,484 km of drinking water networks, 3,269 km of wastewater networks, 18 water intake facilities, and 32 wastewater treatment plants, as well as the installation of 483,000 modern water meters.

Once completed, the projects will provide 4.1 million people with access to clean drinking water and 2.1 million people with sanitation services.

By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to attract at least 40 trillion soums in investments, which will increase the population’s access to drinking water to 90% and to sanitation services to 32.6%.

UN Perspective and Support

Speaking at the conference, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Mahl emphasized that the development of sustainable water supply and sanitation systems is a key component in achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation.

“Uzbekistan is demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring public access to safe drinking water and modern sanitation services. International cooperation through conferences such as this one allows countries to exchange experiences and implement innovative solutions. We see that investing in water means investing in health, education, equality, and a sustainable future,” Sabine Mahl noted.

She added that the United Nations and its agencies — including UNICEF, UNDP, and FAO — will continue to support Uzbekistan in implementing projects aimed at improving water services, digitalizing the sector, and increasing resource efficiency.

Discussions and Site Visits

During the conference, participants discussed ways to improve the efficiency of water supply and sanitation services, the introduction of digital solutions, institutional transformation, and workforce development.

Particular attention was given to innovative financing mechanisms and the involvement of the private sector in developing water infrastructure.

Delegates also visited several sites, including the Kodiriya Water Treatment Facility in Tashkent region, the Chirchiq Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the joint venture Mesal Water Technologies in Yangiyul, where they became acquainted with advanced water treatment and metering technologies.

In addition, the international exhibition Aquatherm Tashkent 2025 showcased modern solutions in water supply, filtration, and energy efficiency.

Final Remarks from Uzsuvta’minot JSC

Representatives of Uzsuvta’minot JSC emphasized that the conference marked an important step toward strengthening international cooperation and modernizing water service infrastructure.

“We view the development of the water sector as one of the key components of the country’s sustainable development. Together with our international partners, we will continue to introduce digital technologies, improve water use efficiency, and enhance service quality for the population,” a company representative stated.

Regional Importance

The Tashkent conference has become a significant platform for developing joint approaches to addressing water-related challenges in Central Asia.

International experts noted that Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize its water sector and strengthen partnerships contribute to regional stability and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.