The 5th Meeting of the Zarafshan River Basin Council Took Place in Kashkadarya Region

Publication date: 22 May 2026

Miraki Resort, Shakhrisabz District, Kashkadarya Region

May 21, 2026

Yesterday, the 5th Meeting of the Zarafshan River Basin Council (RBC) was held in Kashkadarya Region within the framework of the project “Climate Resilient Integrated Water Resources Management in the Zarafshan River Basin” (ZRB Project).

The meeting brought together members of the Basin Council, representatives of SDC, various ministries and government agencies, international partners, water and environmental experts, as well as two representatives of the external evaluation mission engaged by SDC to assess the project. Representatives of the “Basin Women’s Forum” from Sughd Province, Tajikistan, also participated in the meeting to exchange experience and learn more about the activities of the RBC in Uzbekistan.

The meeting was opened by Solijon Khamroev, Chairman of the Zarafshan River Basin Council. Representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland and the Committee on Ecology and Climate Change also delivered welcoming remarks.

One of the first agenda items was the presentation of a new video clip dedicated to the activities of the RBC and the results of the ZRB Project. The video received very positive feedback from participants, who noted that it clearly and vividly demonstrated the practical results achieved by the Council and the project on the ground.

Afterwards, the Chairman of the RBC presented a six-month report on the Council’s activities. During the presentation, participants learned about ongoing efforts to strengthen dialogue between sectors, support climate-resilient water resources management, introduce new approaches, and improve regional cooperation. The presentation also highlighted activities related to the installation of small weather stations, development of digital water management tools, support for eco-schools, and increasing women’s participation in water governance.

A presentation by the legal advisor hired within the project framework also attracted strong interest from participants. The legal expert shared initial findings and recommendations regarding the institutionalization of the RBC, including possible legal mechanisms and approaches for strengthening the Council’s institutional structure. Participants actively discussed the recommendations and exchanged views on next steps.

Representatives from Tajikistan presented the experience of the “Basin Women’s Forum” and shared their work on strengthening women’s participation in basin council activities. Participants showed great interest in their approaches and practical experience related to women’s engagement in water and environmental decision-making processes.

Another presentation was delivered by Adiba Akhmedjanova, Chairwoman of the “Women in Agriculture” Association of Uzbekistan. She shared the results of trainings and activities carried out to strengthen women’s capacities and expand their participation in water resources management within the Zarafshan River Basin.

In the second half of the day, a CAREC consultant from Kazakhstan conducted a training session on basin planning. Participants worked together on developing a “problem tree,” identifying goals and objectives for the basin plan, and discussing further steps for preparing the Zarafshan River Basin Management Plan. The session was interactive and generated active participation from Council members.

At the end of the meeting, participants discussed organizational matters related to the Council’s activities and plans for the next six months. The meeting became an important platform for open dialogue,

experience sharing, and discussions on future cooperation for sustainable water resources management in the Zarafshan River Basin.