Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans to implement 133 projects during the country’s 2027–2029 chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). Their total estimated cost is US$3.3 billion.
The projects cover water management, environmental protection and socio-economic development, according to materials presented to the president.
In particular, the plans include modernising and reconstructing water management facilities and introducing automated systems for water distribution, accounting and monitoring. A regional digital platform is also planned to monitor hydrometeorological indicators, forecast floods and droughts, and provide early warnings.
Another area of focus is expanding public access to drinking water and sanitation services.
The initiatives are expected to receive funding with support from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility and other international organisations.
Mirziyoyev instructed officials to prepare a month-by-month roadmap of activities for next year and ensure its implementation. He also stressed the need to involve foreign and domestic experts, professors and researchers, including compatriots working abroad, in the projects.
Uzbekistan’s chairmanship priorities include improving IFAS’s institutional structure and legal framework, clarifying the responsibilities of the fund’s bodies, and developing cooperation with Afghanistan. The organisation’s agenda is also expected to be aligned with decisions made at Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
Scientific and analytical support for the fund’s initiatives is to be provided by the National Research University Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanisation Engineers.
This will involve transforming the university’s activities, including wider use of artificial intelligence in education and research, as well as expanding scientific work on environmental restoration and water conservation.
Plans also include creating a unified database covering the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins, developing projects to combat desertification jointly with scientists from regional countries, and attracting investment and grants. The university also intends to launch undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in water management for Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.
Following the presentation, the president instructed the relevant agencies to ensure the full and timely implementation of the planned measures. Tasks include intensifying cooperation between relevant ministries and agencies and neighbouring countries, involving regional governors, and developing regional water diplomacy through joint education and research programmes.
The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established by Central Asian countries in 1993. Uzbekistan is due to assume the organisation’s chairmanship for 2027–2029.
