Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A delegation of Uzbek water management specialists visited Israel from 6 to 10 September 2026 to study modern approaches to water conservation, irrigation, monitoring and water reuse.
The visit was organized at the initiative of the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Republic of Uzbekistan as part of a professional exchange programme.
The group included representatives of government agencies, water management specialists, researchers, and experts in irrigation and agriculture. The participants represented government institutions as well as research and professional organizations.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Israel Hydrological Service, where they learned about water resource monitoring and water quality control systems, groundwater management and cooperation among organizations in the water sector.
At Israel’s national water company Mekorot and Jerusalem’s water utility Gihon, the specialists studied urban water infrastructure management, methods of reducing losses, water metering systems and approaches to ensuring a stable water supply.
Particular attention was given to wastewater treatment and reuse. The participants were introduced to practices involving the use of treated water in agriculture and for other non-potable purposes.
The delegation studied practical agricultural solutions during a visit to Magal Kibbutz in central Israel. The specialists examined irrigation technologies and approaches to agricultural production developed under conditions of limited water resources.
Another stop on the programme was Kinneret Academic College on the shores of Lake Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee. Participants were presented with research and educational programmes in water resources and environmental protection, including water and wastewater treatment, desalination, hydrology, water quality control and sustainable development.
The college also demonstrated a practical model for training specialists that combines laboratory research, computer modelling, engineering simulations and fieldwork with cooperation with companies in the water sector.
“Thanks to the visit to Israel with the assistance of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Uzbekistan, I was able to see firsthand the advanced technologies that ensure the country’s water security under conditions of freshwater scarcity.
“It was especially valuable to compare the situation today with what I saw in Israel 30 years ago, and to see what results have been achieved and how the country plans to ensure its water security over the next 20–40 years,” said Vadim Sokolov, a water resources specialist from Tashkent.
The experience gained during the visit is of practical interest to Uzbekistan, where the efficient use of water resources remains an important priority.
Areas identified as potentially contributing to more efficient water use included digital monitoring and accurate water accounting, reducing infrastructure losses, modern irrigation methods, improved groundwater management, and wastewater treatment and reuse.
Following the exchange, participants highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to water-related issues that combines infrastructure development, scientific research, reliable data, technological innovation and professional training.
The visit also created opportunities for further professional exchanges between specialists from the two countries and for developing cooperation in the rational use of water resources and the introduction of modern water technologies.
