SIC ICWC and Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of Uzbekistan Discuss Future Cooperation

On July 29, representatives of SIC ICWC met with Rustam Yusupov, Deputy Minister of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as senior officials and experts from the Uzbekhydrogeology State Institution and the HYDROINGEO Institute.

The discussion focused on ongoing work on groundwater assessment, sustainable use, and protection in Uzbekistan. The participants also exchanged views on regional initiatives in Central Asia related to water management, climate change adaptation, and transboundary water cooperation. Particular attention was paid to opportunities for joint studies of transboundary aquifers, strengthening groundwater monitoring, and making greater use of hydrogeological data in decision-making.

SIC ICWC welcomed the growing professional cooperation between hydrogeologists from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, including their joint work on a Memorandum of Cooperation for the Pretashkent Transboundary Aquifer under the auspices of the Implementation Committee of the UNECE Water Convention. This initiative is expected to strengthen data sharing, joint monitoring, and coordinated approaches to the sustainable transboundary groundwater management.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan and SIC ICWC.

The proposed Memorandum will cover cooperation in the following areas:

• transboundary aquifer studies;
• research on geothermal resources within the water-energy-land nexus;
• development of automated groundwater monitoring systems;
• exchange of information, scientific publications, and methodological materials;
• professional training for hydrogeologists in international water law and water diplomacy;
• preparation of joint international and grant-funded projects.

Following the meeting, the Director of the State Museum of Geology of Uzbekistan guided SIC ICWC delegation through the museum's new exhibition complex. The interactive displays present Uzbekistan's geological structure, mineral resources, the history of geological exploration, and unique mineralogical and paleontological collections.

Participants highlighted the museum's strong scientific and educational value and its potential to promote geology, hydrogeology, and responsible stewardship of natural resources.

The agreements reached during the meeting provide a solid foundation for expanding professional cooperation and implementing joint initiatives in groundwater research and sustainable management.