On 30 January 2026, the ancient city of Khiva, Uzbekistan, hosted the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission on Water Management Issues, according to the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan T. Atakhalyev, who oversees agricultural affairs, while the Uzbek side was represented by Sh. Ganiyev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Agrarian Development.
The commission’s work involved heads and specialists from relevant ministries, agencies, and state institutions of both countries responsible for water resources, irrigation, land reclamation, and environmental protection.
Participants unanimously recognized that sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in water resource management holds strategic importance for ensuring food security, advancing agriculture, and maintaining socio-economic stability throughout the Central Asian region.
During the talks parties exchanged views on key priority areas:
- Implementation of modern technologies for rational and efficient water use;
- Improvement of monitoring and accounting systems for water resources;
- Development of human resource capacity in the water management sector;
- Adaptation to climate change and mitigation of associated risks to ensure reliable water supply.
Particular emphasis was placed on measures to minimize the negative impacts of global warming.
Following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regularly holding bilateral consultations, commission sessions, and joint events, as well as to further strengthening the legal and institutional framework of their cooperation.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission on Water Management Issues. The document records the agreements reached and outlines priorities for continued joint efforts.///nCa, 31 January 2026