Seventh Meeting of the Intersectoral Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation

On 12 October 2026, the seventh meeting of the Intersectoral Working Group (IWG) on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The meeting brought together representatives of Uzbek government agencies, international financial institutions, development organizations, and other stakeholders. G. Khamdamova, chief specialist, participated in the meeting on behalf of SIC ICWC.

The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between national institutions and international partners in support of Uzbekistan’s water sector development priorities and ongoing reforms.

Participants discussed key issues related to the development of water supply and sanitation services, as well as next steps for advancing sectoral initiatives. The agenda included preparations for the 2026 World Water Conservation Forum and a draft Strategy for the Improvement of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Services until 2030.

Particular attention was paid to the results of a three-year project aimed at improving access to drinking water and sanitation in remote areas of Uzbekistan. Funded by the JTI Foundation, the project is implemented by the Republican Center for Development of Living Conditions of the Population “Tarakkiet,” in partnership with the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Between 2023 and 2026, four drinking water supply systems were constructed in remote rural areas of Fergana and Namangan provinces. The project has a total budget of $1.8 million. Currently, approximately 22,000 residents have gained access to drinking water, and this figure is expected to reach 26,000 by the end of 2026. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the systems, state-registered drinking water user organizations have been established, enabling local residents to participate directly in management of their water supply systems.

Another key event was the formal transfer of the IWG co-chairmanship from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

During the concluding session, participants summarized the meeting’s outcomes and identified further steps for continued cooperation. The discussions reaffirmed the importance of coordinated efforts by government agencies and international partners to advance water sector priorities, improve water supply and sanitation services, and promote sustainable sector development.

During the discussion of the draft strategy, many participants expressed interest in sharing the document with other relevant organizations for review and feedback, including proposals for amendments and additions. This inclusive approach would help ensure that the perspectives and recommendations of a broad range of stakeholders are taken into account and contribute to further improving the draft strategy.