Uzbekistan and UNECE Discuss Transboundary Groundwater Protection

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted a working meeting with representatives of the Water Convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The primary focus of the negotiations centered on key aspects of the rational use and coordinated protection of transboundary aquifers. The event was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Mining Industry and Geology, Rustam Yusupov. The discussions involved sector specialists from the state institutions "Uzhydrogeology" and the "Hydroingeo Institute," alongside representatives from the international organization Caritas Switzerland.

The participants concentrated heavily on the implementation of a joint project aimed at the protection and long-term sustainable use of the Pretashkent transboundary aquifer. During expert consultations, the parties reviewed the mechanisms for applying indicators to evaluate transboundary water cooperation, aligned with achieving the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A particular emphasis was placed on the necessity of significantly strengthening practical cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, given that the effective management of the shared subterranean basin requires coordinated efforts from both neighboring border states. To address issues regarding the condition and distribution of groundwater comprehensively and rapidly, the meeting participants initiated the formation of a specialized Working Group, which will comprise representatives from interested ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the talks, the parties outlined plans for a phased scaling up of future environmental and hydrogeological projects within this strategic direction.