In the Uzbek city of Navoi, within the framework of the project “Climate-integrated water resources management in the Zarafshan River Basin”, two key events were held: a meeting of the 2nd National Steering Committee and the 2nd working meeting of the members of the Governing Body of the Zarafshan River Basin Council.

The organization of the events on 12-13 August 2025 was the result of close cooperation between the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan and the partner consortium Caritas Switzerland.

Day 1 – Visit to demonstration sites

On August 12, meeting participants who arrived from Tashkent visited demonstration sites of the project in the Karmana and Kyzyltepa districts of the Navoi region:

— Cotton farm “Ibrohim Makhsum” – presentation of an innovative irrigation system based on weather data and water accounting, as well as a demonstration of the work of a weather station.

— School No. 22 — proposed for cooperation within the framework of the Blue School initiative, with plans to develop a school environmental policy and subsequently attract funding through the Zamin Foundation for the reconstruction of the building.

— Toshrobot hydroelectric complex — inspection of water management structures distributing water from the Amu-Bukhara machine canal, and familiarization with the history of water resource distribution through the region’s canals. 

Day 2 – Plenary work of the National Steering Committee

On August 13, the plenary session of the National Steering Committee was held in the conference hall of the Tinchlik Plaza Hotel. The participants were addressed with welcoming words by:

— Ilkhom Juraev, Head of the Department of Water and Land Resources Protection (online),

— Andrin Fink, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan,

— Dr. Shinan Kassam, Regional Director for Central Asia, Caritas Switzerland,

— Nodirbek Rakhimzhonov, Director of the CAREC country office in Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, the project’s half-year results were presented, a work plan for the second half of 2025 was approved, strategic directions, cross-border cooperation issues and preparation of the Learning Journey trip to Switzerland were discussed.

Meeting of the Governing Body of the Basin Council

In the afternoon, a meeting of the Zarafshan River Basin Governing Body was held in the Suvchilar Maktabi building, which was attended by representatives of the Council, the Swiss Embassy and the Consortium.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening the role of the Basin Council, including the initiative to approve an official form for independent interaction with ministries and departments. Measures to further improve the Council’s activities and the results of the competition to select experts to prepare the Basin Development Plan were also considered.

“The meetings held not only allowed us to sum up the work done and identify priorities for the future, but also became an important step in strengthening the institutional role of the Basin Council. The visit to the demonstration sites and the school emphasized the practical focus of the project and its contribution to the development of local initiatives in the field of sustainable water resources management,” said Nodirbek Rakhimjonov,  Director of the CAREC Country Office in Uzbekistan  .