Central Asian Water Security Issues to be Discussed at Regional Forum in Tashkent

On March 25–26, an international forum titled "Tashkent Water Week 2026" will be held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. This event, initiated by the government of the neighboring state, will become the first large-scale platform for Central Asian countries to seek joint solutions to the escalating water issues.

In the context of climate change and rapid population growth, the question "where to get water?" has evolved from a purely technical issue into a strategic priority for the entire region.

The main goal of the forum is to transform transboundary water resource management from a potential point of tension into a space for regional cooperation. Key areas of discussion include:

• Trust Diplomacy: Seeking joint solutions for transboundary water exchange.
• Digital Water: Implementing IT innovations and satellite monitoring systems for accurate water resource accounting.
• Agricultural Renewal: Adapting irrigation systems to conditions of severe water scarcity and transitioning to "green" standards in agriculture.

The event, held under the motto "Central Asia and the Global Water Cycle," will focus not only on discussing problems but also on finding technological solutions. Participants will discuss food security, ways to provide for a growing population under irrigation water shortages, intersectoral partnerships, and the "water–energy–food" nexus as a unified tool for sustainable development.

An international Olympiad on water management will also be held within the framework of Water Week—the region is in need of a new generation of "water diplomats" and engineers.

For Turkmenistan and its neighbors, the efficient use of water resources is a crucial guarantee of economic stability. The forum in Tashkent will enable Central Asia to speak with a single voice to protect its interests in the global water cycle, serving as a vital step in preparation for future global water summits.