On March 25–26, 2026, “Women’s Water Week: From Theory to Practice” was held in Tashkent, bringing together approximately 70 representatives of the country’s water sector, including specialists from basin irrigation system management agencies, government agencies, scientific institutions, and international organizations.
The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and international partners, including IWMI, SDC, ADB, UNDP, the OSCE, and the Scientific and Information Center of the Interstate Water Commission (ICWC) (as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) project “Regional Mechanisms for Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Transformation of the Energy-Water-Land Nexus in Central Asia”). The initiative’s primary goal was to strengthen the role of women in the water sector, develop professional skills, and create a platform for sharing experiences.
On the first day, participants took part in plenary sessions as part of Tashkent Water Week, dedicated to sustainable development, transboundary water cooperation, and confidence-building. In the afternoon, thematic sessions took place, during which representatives of the Scientific and Information Center of the International Water Commission (SIC ICWC) – Dinara Ziganshina and Zulfiya Yarullina – presented the Gender Concept of the Water Sector of Uzbekistan for 2025–2030 and the new Water Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Gulnoza Khamdamova from the SIC ICWC spoke about the interagency coordination (Ministry of Water Resources, Hydrometeorology, and Geology) in the process of developing the code.
The second day of the program focused on developing the participants’ potential and leadership skills. Sessions were held with successful representatives of the water sector and international organizations, who shared their experiences of career growth, professional challenges, and achievements. These presentations served as a valuable source of inspiration and motivation for the participants, who aspire to further develop and actively engage in the water sector. Oygul Usmanova, from the Scientific and Information Center of the Interstate Water Commission (NICWC), spoke on behalf of the Women in Water Resources Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan network and the Expert Platform for Advanced Research in Water Security and Sustainable Development (EPRI), established by the Scientific and Information Center of the Interstate Water Commission (NICWC), noting the ongoing work to engage women and youth in the platform’s activities.
The sessions generated great interest: participants actively engaged in the discussions, asked questions, and shared their own experiences, which contributed to an open and productive dialogue. Participants also had the opportunity to establish new professional contacts and discuss prospects for further collaboration.
Women’s Water Week concluded with a ceremony during which participants were awarded certificates confirming their active participation in the program. The outstanding achievements of women who have made significant contributions to the development of the country’s water sector were also recognized.
The Women’s Water Week was an important step towards ensuring gender equality, empowering women, and strengthening their expert role in water resource management in Uzbekistan.
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