Uzbekistan approves integrated water management concept for Lower Amu Darya basin

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A Concept for the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan for the Lower Amu Darya basin has been signed in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of Eco Expo 2026. The document aims to establish a more coordinated, science-based, and sustainable approach to water management in one of the country’s most environmentally vulnerable regions.

The concept was developed under the Aral Sea Wetlands project, implemented by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The signing ceremony served as a central event of a side session dedicated to the restoration of ecosystems in the Lower Amu Darya and Aral Sea basin. The document was signed by Deputy Head of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change Zhusipbek Kazbekov, First Deputy Minister of Water Resources Zakir Ishpulatov, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alisher Shukurov.

Officials and international partners noted that the concept lays the foundation for a transition to a basin-based approach to water resource management.

This approach takes into account the interests of all water users, ecosystem conditions, agricultural needs, public utilities, energy sector demands, local communities, as well as long-term climate and environmental risks.

The future IWRM plan will cover several territories of the Lower Amu Darya region, including Alat and Karakul districts of Bukhara region, as well as Amu Darya and Muynak districts of Karakalpakstan. At the local level, measures are expected to include demand management, digitalization of water accounting, and water-saving technologies.

Special attention was given to the restoration of wetlands, biodiversity conservation, and strengthening climate resilience. Discussions involved government bodies, international organizations, and experts.

Technical sessions presented approaches to ecosystem services assessment, sustainable land use, and integrated planning aimed at restoring degraded areas of the Aral Sea region.

The signing is seen as an important step toward practical implementation of integrated water and land resource management and strengthening environmental sustainability in the region.