Uzbekistan, in collaboration with Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a new project to transform water management in the Aral Sea region. Officially titled “Strengthening Water Resources Governance and Climate Resilience in the Aral Sea Region,” the initiative was inaugurated at the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan with financial support from the Government of Japan, totaling US$4.6 million. The project will run from 2026 to 2028, with Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Zokir Ishpulatov, Japan’s Ambassador Kenji Hirata, and UNDP Resident Representative Akiko Fuji formally signing the project documents.
The initiative aims to address long-standing water sector challenges by strengthening institutional governance, improving water use efficiency, supporting climate-resilient agriculture, and enhancing food security. A central component of the project is the development of digital monitoring tools, including centralized GIS systems, which will enable data-driven decision-making and increased accountability in water management.
Ambassador Hirata emphasized Japan’s commitment to sharing knowledge and technology to mitigate the environmental consequences of the Aral Sea crisis, highlighting the partnership’s role in promoting sustainable use of scarce water resources. Deputy Minister Ishpulatov noted that the project aligns with Uzbekistan’s strategic water priorities and aims to position the Aral region as a model of adaptation and innovation. UNDP’s Akiko Fuji underscored the project’s focus on best global practices, institutional capacity building, legal and regulatory improvements, and expanded access to modern technologies for farmers and communities.
Practical interventions include rehabilitating irrigation infrastructure, implementing precision irrigation and climate-resilient agricultural methods, promoting wastewater reuse, and introducing desalination powered by renewable energy. These measures are expected to improve agricultural productivity and enhance water access for over 1,000 farming households. The project emphasizes gender equality by promoting active participation of women in resource management and decision-making.
The initiative is structured around four interconnected areas: strengthening national and local water management institutions, digitalizing water governance systems, enhancing infrastructure and farmers’ capacities, and fostering regional knowledge exchange and communication. It also promotes regional cooperation through dialogue platforms with other Central Asian countries and international partners. Public awareness campaigns, forums, and the Aral Culture Summit will further position the region as a model for climate-resilient water management.
Building on the success of the 2023–2025 UNDP-Japan initiative, which improved drinking water access for more than 7,700 people and introduced Japanese water technologies such as the Johkasou wastewater treatment system, the new project aims to scale these solutions and establish a sustainable, innovative framework for water resource management in the Aral Sea region.
