Developing International Dialogue: SIC ICWC Had a Meeting with the Leadership of the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine

On 3 June 2026, SIC ICWC had a meeting with Mr. Viktor V. Kantsurak, Deputy Head of the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine.

The main purpose of the visit was to discuss opportunities for strengthening and expanding bilateral expert and scientific cooperation in the area of water management.

The parties discussed prospects for development of bilateral cooperation. The SIC ICWC was represented by Director Dinara Ziganshina, Deputy Directors Sherzod Muminov and Alisher Nazariy, as well as staff members Anatoly Sorokin, Iskander Beglov, Fazillat Abdullaeva, Shavkat Kenzhabayev, Gulnoza Khamdamova, and Alexander Dolidudko.

During the meeting, Mr. Viktor V. Kantsurak briefed participants on the strategic priorities and organizational layout of the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine. He emphasized the Agency’s strong interest in developing cooperation with the countries of Central Asia, including through collaboration with SIC ICWC.

The following areas were identified as particularly promising for the exchange of experience and expertise:

• Maintenance and modernization of the national water inventory;
• Implementation of automated surface water and groundwater monitoring systems;
• Development of automated water-use accounting and control;
• Organization of life-long education, training, and professional development programs for the water sector.

Experts from SIC ICWC provided their Ukrainian colleague with a comprehensive overview of ongoing projects in Central Asia and presented the Center’s achievements in the field of digitalization and knowledge management. In particular, the following topics were highlighted:

• Digital monitoring: Current progress in the automation of water monitoring systems and approaches to maintaining national water inventories across the countries of the region.
• Information platforms: Experience in the development and operation of the Regional Water Information System (CAWater-IS) and the Central Asia Water and Environmental Knowledge Portal.
• Analytical tools: Methodologies for assessing and applying the Water Security Index in the Aral Sea Basin, as well as the Center’s approaches to long-term data management.
• Capacity building and education: Training opportunities and professional development programs offered by the SIC ICWC Training Center for specialists in the water sector.

The parties emphasized the importance of maintaining a regular professional dialogue and strengthening cooperation between their respective institutions. Following the discussions, they agreed to continue working-level contacts focused on the adaptation and application of advanced digital technologies, the exchange of best practices, and the enhancement of professional capacities across the water sector.

As part of the visit, SIC ICWC also facilitated a series of work meetings for the Ukrainian Deputy Chairman with representatives of relevant agencies. In particular, Mr. Viktor V. Kantsurak visited the School of Water Workers (Suvchilar maktabi) under the Ministry of Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan. During the visit, Mr. H. Ishanov, Advisor to the Director, provided a detailed presentation on the School’s activities, including the work of its headquarters in Tashkent and its research and demonstration polygons located in all 13 provinces of the country. These polygons serve as platforms for testing and promoting the adoption of advanced water-saving technologies.

As part of the visit, a meeting was held with Mr. B. Aitmetov, Head of the State Geological Monitoring Service, at the State Agency “Uzbekhydrogeology”. During the visit, Agency specialists presented a unique hydrogeological landscape model—a large-scale relief map of Uzbekistan that accurately reproduces the country’s topography. The model depicts the Tien Shan and Gissar mountain ranges, major river valleys and waterways, as well as the Aral Sea basin, providing a clear visualization of the processes governing the formation of surface and groundwater flow.

The Geological Monitoring Service’s digital information system was also demonstrated. The platform enables real-time collection and analysis of data on groundwater conditions and abstraction volumes, monitors hazardous exogenous geological processes throughout the country, and supports the timely coordination of measures to sustainably use and protect groundwater resources.

ПThe meetings confirmed the strong mutual interest of both sides in exchanging technological solutions. Mr. Viktor V. Kantsurak highly appreciated the capabilities of the digital platform, particularly its ability to ensure the continuous collection, processing, and updating of hydrogeological data. The experience demonstrated by Uzbekistan in the areas of large-scale capacity building for farmers and digital groundwater mapping was recognized as a valuable example for future cooperation and laid a solid prospects for the development of a long-term partnership between SIC ICWC and the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine.