NATIONAL DIALOGUE “STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF WATER SECURITY IN UZBEKISTAN”
On March 26-28, 2024, representatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia Water Council had meetings with relevant ministries and departments of the Republic of Uzbekistan a part of the National Dialogue “Strengthening the economic, financial and technological dimensions of water security in Uzbekistan”.
The Dialogue’s main objective is to support actions to address Uzbekistan’s water sector challenges by identifying policy priorities, financing needs, enhancing financial capacities as well as identifying technology and innovation solutions for water efficiency.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (SIC ICWC).
Mr. Matthew Griffiths, Senior Programme Manager (OECD), Prof. Kyungtek Yum, Mr. Jejin Han, Ms. Joe Kim (Asia Water Council), and Mr. Sherzod Muminov, Deputy Director (SIC ICWC) took part in all meetings.
March 26
Director of Department Mr. A. Zahidov and Heads of divisions Mr. Sh. Abdumajidov and Mr. A. Abdunazarov participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Priority areas of the national water policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan as well as specific features of financing the irrigation and land reclamation, drinking water supply and sanitation and other issues of water management system were discussed.
Head of Department Mr. G. Rakhimov, Head of division Mr. O. Otamuratov, and senior experts Ms. D. Azizova, Mr. O. Abdullaev, and Mr. B. Ortikboev participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan and JSC “Uzsuvta’minot”. The current state of drinking water supply and sanitation, financing this sector, and current challenges and solutions were discussed.
Head of Department Mr. N. Madiboev and senior experts Mr. Sh. Ubaydulloeva and Mr. O. Khanzharbekov took part in the meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture. Issues of agricultural water use, importance of surface water accounting and monitoring in agriculture, innovative water saving technologies at field level and other issues were addressed during the meeting.
Deputy Minister of Water Management Mr. Kh. Kuvondikov, Director of the Center for Implementation of Foreign Investment Projects in the Water Sector Mr. Sh. Sultonov, and Deputy Directors of the Center Mr. A. Yuldashev and Mr. Sh. Batirov participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Water Management. The participants of the meeting addressed the issues of financing and attracting investments in the irrigation and land reclamation, pump irrigation, water-saving irrigation technologies, the need for surface water accounting and monitoring in economic sectors, etc.
March 27
The meeting at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change was held with participation of the Head of the Department Mr. F. Sattarov, Heads of Divisions Mr. A. Kholmurodov and Mr. S. Sultanov, and senior expert Mr. B. Khairullaev. The issues of ecology, climate change, water quality, compensation mechanisms for water pollution, environmental requirements for construction of water facilities and other matters were addressed.
The meeting at the National Research University "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agriculture Mechanization Engineers"(TIIAME) was held with participation of Rector Mr. B. Mirzaev, Vice-rector Mr. A. Salokhiddinov, Dean Mr. J. Ishchanov, and Head of department Mr. I. Begmatov. They addressed the matters related to water education, professional training, training in the water sector, support of new innovation technologies with training and other issues.
Heads of departments Mr. N. Pulatov and Mr. B. Aitmetov, Head of division Mr. A. Khakimov took part in the meeting at the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology. Specifics of groundwater use and potential in the country, legal, institutional and economic mechanisms of groundwater use, as well as quality and monitoring of groundwater and other issues were discussed.
Meeting at JSC "Uzbekhydroenergo" was held with participation of Heads of divisions Mr. K. Kuchkarov and Mr. P. Nurmatov, senior experts Mr. J. Akhronkulov and Mr. U. Tashkentbaev. The following issues were discussed: hydropower potential of Uzbekistan, reservoir O&M and safety, design and construction of reservoirs, economic and financial dimensions of hydropower, etc.
March 28
Based on mission’ findings, a workshop was organized at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Representative of OECD Mr. Matthew Griffiths, representatives of the Asian Water Council Prof. Kyungtaek Yum, Mr. Jaejin Han, Ms. Joa Kim, as well as the Director General of the K-Water Central Asian Office Mr. Lee Daseul and Deputies Director General Kim Youngkyo and Lee Chae Ku took part in the workshop, and representative of SIC ICWC Deputy Director Sherzod Muminov.
Republic of Uzbekistan was represented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology, Ministry of Water Management, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Housing and Communal Services.
Mr. Matthew Griffiths made a brief presentation on key findings and messages from the meetings and proposed focus areas for future actions.
Prof. Kyungtaek Yum presented his findings from the meetings with experts from relevant ministries and departments. The workshop also opened the space for open discussions and exchange of opinions and proposals from the side of relevant ministries.
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