Third Amudarya and Syrdarya Basin Dialogue and Development Partner Dialogue Held in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 2–3 December 2025, Tashkent is hosting the third meeting of the Basin Dialogues for the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, alongside the Development Partner Dialogue.

The event is held under the regional program “Water Resources Management in Central Asia under Climate Impact” and aims to strengthen partnerships and coordinate further steps in water resources management.

The meeting brings together representatives from relevant ministries of Central Asian countries, international organizations, and programs working in the water sector. Its main objective is to establish a sustainable platform for experience sharing, review the results of activities conducted during the Amudarya and Syrdarya River Days, and develop joint measures to adapt the water sector to climate change.

Andreas Unterstaller, Head of the EU Delegation Program in Uzbekistan, noted that the Basin Dialogue remains a key mechanism for building trust in the region:
“Water, energy, and climate are the foundation of a sustainable future for Central Asia. Thanks to structured cooperation and initiatives under the EU’s Global Gateway program, we are already seeing the implementation of concrete projects and strategic investments.”

Joachim Fritz, Director of GIZ for Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of consolidating efforts:
“Sustainable water management is only possible through close collaboration among all countries in the region. Joint work, knowledge sharing, and the development of long-term solutions are our shared priority.”

Andrin Fink, Deputy Head of the Swiss Embassy Mission in Uzbekistan, highlighted the dialogue’s role in coordinating action:
“Exchanging experiences and seeking joint solutions help ensure efficient, equitable, and sustainable use of water resources while preserving ecosystems for future generations.”

During the discussions, participants reviewed:

• Key results of the GIZ | SDC | EU project activities in 2025 and proposals for the 2026 action plan;
• Joint initiatives for preserving the Amudarya basin ecosystems, including runoff formation and dispersion zones;
• Work in the Syrdarya basin under the theme “Increasing Climate Resilience through Infrastructure Development Options Assessment (Nexus Approach)”;
• Mechanisms for economic cooperation in the Amudarya basin in the context of decisions made at the level of heads of state.

Participants also familiarized themselves with the outcomes of grant projects implemented in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK Finland) and the Slovak State Water Management Enterprise — Vodohospodárska výstavba.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed on further steps to implement climate-resilient approaches to water resources management and discussed ways to enhance the effectiveness of joint projects.