Coordination meeting (16.03.2023)
16 March 2023
First Meeting of the Country Platform’s Intersectoral Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation
On 16 March 2023, the Ministry of Water Resources hosted the first meeting of the Intersectoral Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources, Uzsuvtaminot JSC, members of the Intersectoral Working Group, relevant ministries and government agencies, the Embassy of Switzerland, the World Bank, the Uzbekistan Resident Mission of the Asian Development Bank, and other donor organizations.
Participants discussed the Working Group’s 2023 work plan and key performance indicators. They also considered the development of the draft Strategy for Water Resources Management and Irrigation Sector Development in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2024–2026.
The Country Platform mechanism is one of the key instruments for supporting reforms linked to the objectives of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026. It is designed to ensure coordinated cooperation with international donors and development partners in the preparation and implementation of joint initiatives.
In 2023, the Country Platform was coordinated by the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the World Bank, which performed the functions of the Secretariat.
At the first meeting of the Country Platform, held in January of that year, the participants agreed to establish 12 working groups comprising representatives of relevant ministries and government agencies, donors and development partners. One of these was the Intersectoral Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation.
The meeting featured presentations by Uzsuvtaminot JSC and the Ministry of Water Resources. The Strategy for Water Resources Management and Irrigation Sector Development in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021–2023 had already been approved and was under implementation. The sector was subsequently tasked with developing a new strategy for 2024–2026.
“It is important to coordinate efforts aimed at the efficient use of groundwater, surface water, drinking water and irrigation water in Uzbekistan. Applying integrated water resources management practices would be beneficial in this regard,” said Rachel Boesch, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland.
Participants shared their views on these issues and took an active part in the discussions. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Intersectoral Working Group’s 2023 work plan was approved.