The fifth gender technical working group meeting

Technical Group Meeting Held on Advancing Gender Equality in the Water Sector

On 12 June 2026, the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted a meeting of the Development Partners’ Technical Group dedicated to integrating gender-responsive approaches into the water sector.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources and its affiliated organizations, ministries and agencies involved in implementing the Gender Concept, higher and vocational education institutions, and international development partners.

The meeting was opened by Zokir Ishpulatov, a representative of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Participants reviewed the progress made in implementing the Action Plan for the Water Sector Gender Concept through 2027. Farzona Khashimova, a representative of ACTED, presented the monitoring results on the implementation of the Action Plan.

The discussions focused on activities undertaken by government institutions and development partners under the Gender Concept, the results achieved and the remaining challenges. Participants also shared their views and proposals on more effectively integrating gender considerations into the water sector.

Key issues highlighted during the meeting:

• coordinating gender-related activities at the regional level;
• preventing the duplication of initiatives;
• making effective use of available resources and strengthening cooperation within the sector;
• reviewing the activities and potential of regional networks addressing gender and water issues in Central Asia, as well as proposals for strengthening future cooperation mechanisms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants developed a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation on gender equality in the water sector, expanding the exchange of experience and ensuring the effective implementation of the Action Plan.