Tashkent Hosts International Forum on Water Management 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 25 to 26 March 2026, the Uzbek capital is hosting the international forum Tashkent Water Week 2026. The event is organized on the initiative of the Government of Uzbekistan with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources, the international exhibition company Iteca Exhibitions, the National Research University Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, and the Center for Progressive Reforms.

The main theme of the forum is “Technologies and Innovations in Water Resource Management: Central Asia and the Global Water Cycle.” The event serves as a platform for addressing pressing challenges related to water scarcity caused by climate change and increasing population and economic demands in the region.

Amid growing pressure on water infrastructure, efficient and sustainable management of water resources has acquired strategic importance, directly affecting socio-economic development and strengthening regional cooperation. Special attention is being given to rational water use in irrigated agriculture and ensuring access to quality drinking water.

Held in Uzbekistan for the first time in this format, the forum brings together government representatives, international organizations, businesses, academia, and young professionals. Participants discuss the adoption of technological and digital solutions in the water sector, global trends and challenges, food security, cross-sectoral collaboration, green standards, sustainable land use, and workforce development.

The program features 16 thematic sessions with around 80 speakers and over 1,200 delegates from 19 countries, including Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, the Netherlands, UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, France, Switzerland, and others.

The forum opens with the plenary session “Water and Sustainable Development: Dialogue, Trust, and Joint Solutions,” which sets the strategic agenda. Discussions focus on international cooperation under climate change, the role of financial institutions in modernizing water infrastructure, and the importance of water resources for food and social stability.

A key political highlight is the strategic “Ministerial Dialogue” session, uniting heads of relevant ministries from the region. Topics include reconciling upstream and downstream interests, joint planning and monitoring of water resources, hydrological data sharing, and coordinated measures to manage climate risks such as droughts and floods.

Other sessions focus on ensuring access to drinking water, improving water-use efficiency in agriculture, and developing human capital by training highly skilled professionals for the water management sector.

A dedicated initiative, Women Water Week, involves international organizations including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and aims to enhance the role of women in the water sector and develop their professional potential.

Water security is a major focus. On the second day, the Tashkent forum at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers addresses “From Knowledge to Action: Aligning Water Science and Policy to Ensure Water Security in Central Asia.”

Tashkent Water Week 2026 is expected to give a fresh impetus to international cooperation, generate practical recommendations, and strengthen coordinated efforts to address key regional and global water challenges.