Coordination meeting (26.02.2025)
26 February 2025
Fourth Meeting of the Sector Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation
The fourth meeting of the Sector Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation was held on 26 February 2025. Participants discussed the water sector’s priorities for 2025, challenges related to project planning and implementation, and the activities of the technical working groups.
The meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, international development partners and water sector experts. Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation and accelerating the sector’s development.
Key topics discussed and outcomes
🔹 Water sector priorities for 2025
- modernizing and digitalizing the water resources management system;
- introducing innovative solutions to strengthen water infrastructure and reduce water losses;
- developing regional cooperation for sustainable water resources management;
- attracting investment and introducing modern technologies.
🔹 Drinking water supply and sanitation objectives
- developing a long-term drinking water supply and sanitation strategy in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and other partners;
- expanding and reconstructing infrastructure to improve access to safe drinking water;
- introducing green energy technologies in water supply and wastewater treatment systems;
- implementing digital monitoring systems to improve efficiency and strengthen public oversight.
🔹 Challenges in project planning and implementation
- ensuring financial sustainability and advancing tariff reforms;
- improving the efficiency of water management systems through public-private partnerships (PPPs);
- developing gender-responsive budgeting and increasing women’s participation in decision-making;
- improving loan repayment mechanisms to secure long-term investment.
🔹 Activities and monitoring of technical working groups
- updating the Digital Water website to improve project monitoring and transparency;
- providing partner organizations with individual accounts for the secure uploading of project data;
- aligning water sector projects with Uzbekistan’s water resources development strategy through 2030.
Conclusions and next steps
Participants agreed to strengthen cooperation among all stakeholders, advance measures to improve efficiency, and enhance the role of the Sector Working Group on Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation in supporting reforms.
They also emphasized the importance of improving governance, strengthening investment planning, and enhancing engagement with relevant stakeholders.