The upcoming summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in Astana is expected to mark a turning point in Central Asia’s water diplomacy, as Uzbekistan prepares to assume the organization’s chairmanship for 2027–2029.
This will be Uzbekistan’s third term leading IFAS, following its earlier roles in 1997–1999 and 2013–2016. The renewed leadership comes at a critical time, as the region faces increasing water stress due to climate change, population growth, and economic expansion.
According to Lobar Umarova, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, Uzbekistan has introduced extensive reforms to tackle growing water challenges. Over the past 15 years, per capita water availability in the country has dropped significantly from 3,000 to 1,400 cubic meters annually, while total water resources have declined by 21% since 1991. Nearly 80% of surface water originates outside the country, highlighting its reliance on transboundary water flows.
Under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, water sector modernization has become a national priority. The use of water-saving technologies has expanded from 28,000 hectares to more than 2.6 million hectares, now covering over 60% of irrigated land. By 2030, these initiatives are expected to save up to 15 billion cubic meters of water annually.
Digital transformation is also playing a key role. Eleven advanced information systems are being introduced to monitor water resources, while more than 100 major facilities have been automated. The “Smart Water” system is now operational at thousands of water intake points, alongside real-time monitoring at pumping stations.
Economic restructuring has further improved efficiency, reducing agriculture’s share in the Aral Sea region economy from 32% in 2017 to 19% in 2024, while agricultural output has still grown by 17%.
On the regional level, Uzbekistan has taken a leading role in strengthening cooperation through IFAS. Major initiatives include ecological restoration in the Aral Sea region, where artificial reservoirs and large-scale afforestation projects have helped combat environmental degradation. Nearly 2 million hectares have been restored with green cover so far.
These efforts have gained global recognition, with the United Nations General Assembly declaring the Aral Sea region a “Zone of Ecological Innovations and Technologies.”
Uzbekistan has also expanded cooperation with neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, particularly on shared reservoirs and hydropower projects. At the same time, it is promoting dialogue with Afghanistan to ensure balanced and sustainable use of transboundary rivers.
Looking ahead, Uzbekistan has proposed declaring 2026–2036 as the “Decade of Practical Actions for the Rational Use of Water in Central Asia” and plans to establish a regional water management training center.
As it prepares to take over IFAS leadership once again, Uzbekistan aims to strengthen institutional frameworks, enhance environmental protection, and promote sustainable water use—positioning water diplomacy as a key pillar of regional stability and development.
