LocationsUNDP and Uzbekistan strengthen cooperation on water security and climate resilience
July 9, 2026
UNDP and the Government of Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to improving water security, strengthening climate resilience, and supporting more sustainable use of water resources across the country. The commitment was highlighted during a high-level meeting between Mr. Haoliang Xu, UNDP Associate Administrator, Ms. Ivana Živković, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS,) and Mr. Timur Butunbaev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Mr. Shavkat Khamraev, Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan in New York, USA.
During the meeting, Government representatives shared progress made under Uzbekistan’s water sector reforms. These include the new Water Code, the Water Strategy 2030, wider use of water-saving technologies on more than 60 percent of irrigated land, and the growing digitalization of water resources management. These efforts are helping the country use water more efficiently and improve access to basic services.
The Government thanked UNDP for its long-standing support in improving water policies, promoting integrated water resources management, building climate resilience in the Aral Sea region, mobilizing financing, and strengthening the skills of water-sector professionals.
Building on more than 30 years of partnership, UNDP and Uzbekistan discussed new opportunities to work together on digital tools, climate adaptation, innovative technologies, capacity building, and regional cooperation on water issues. UNDP confirmed its readiness to support the development of Uzbekistan’s National Concept for the Rational Use of Water Resources and Environmental Protection for 2027–2050.
World Water Saving Forum, which will take place in Samarkand from 29 September to 1 October 2026, also took place on the agenda, and UNDP expressed its readiness to contribute through international outreach, expert engagement, and programme development, helping make the Forum an important global platform for water innovation, investment, and knowledge exchange.
UNDP remains committed to supporting Uzbekistan’s efforts to protect water resources, adapt to climate change, and ensure a more sustainable future for people and communities.
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