December 10, 2025, Dushanbe. – The first meeting of the National Water Council, held amidst rapid climate change, dwindling water resources, and growing daily demand for clean, high-quality water, was a historic event and an important step toward strengthening the country’s sustainable water resource management. This platform provided a favorable framework for better coordination of public policy, the development of long-term strategies, and strengthened interagency cooperation on water resources.
The meeting opened with an opening speech by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan and Chairman of the National Water Council, Sulaimon Ziyozoda. The Council Chairman noted that, thanks to the consistent initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon, water issues have acquired strategic importance globally over the past two decades. It was at the initiative of the Head of State that the United Nations General Assembly adopted ten important resolutions on water issues, the practical implementation of which has contributed to the advancement of the Global Water Agenda, while strengthening Tajikistan’s role as a water-rich country in the region.
“Today, water resources are under significant pressure from a variety of external factors: climate change, shrinking glaciers, population growth, industrial and energy development, and increasing agricultural demand. All of this is leading to new crises in food security, green energy, irrigation, and ecosystem protection, increasing the need for integrated and sustainable water resources management,” emphasized S. Ziyozoda.
It was emphasized that the effective activities of the National Water Council can have a significant impact on strengthening state policy in the field of water resources, ensuring their rational use, attracting investment, improving the level of maintenance of hydraulic structures, and achieving sustainable socio-economic development of the country.
The meeting was continued by the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Tajikistan, Radoslav Darski, and the representative of the World Bank Office in Tajikistan, Rakhimzhan Assangaziyev.
Next, First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources Jamshed Shoimzoda presented detailed information on the goals, objectives and operating mechanisms of the National Water Council.
It was noted that the main goal of establishing the National Water Council is to create a unified space for coordinating, assessing, and making key decisions on the use, protection, and sustainable management of the country’s water resources. The new body ensures the coordination of state water policy within a single platform and makes the planning and implementation processes of strategies more transparent, coordinated, and effective.
During the meeting, the results of the implementation of the Water Sector Reform Program of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2016–2025 and the draft Basin Plan for Water Resources Management of the Zarafshan Basin District for 2026–2030 were also reviewed.
During the discussion of these issues, the Chairman of the Council gave specific instructions on the efficient and careful use of water, improving the performance of basin institutions, installing water meters at water distribution points, and conducting an accurate analysis of water use.
At the end of the meeting, the National Water Council’s Work Plan for 2026 was approved.
It should be noted that the National Water Council, as an advisory body under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, was established by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated May 29, 2025 No. 318.
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