Cooperation on water security
TIIAME National Research University plays a leading role in water diplomacy and water security in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. The university works with local and regional authorities, national ministries and parliament, as well as international organisations, to address water scarcity, improve access to safe water and sanitation, and protect water-related ecosystems.
Through teaching, research and public engagement, TIIAME NRU provides practical expertise for water-sector reforms and trains the next generation of water professionals who will manage rivers, canals, reservoirs and irrigation systems under increasing climate stress.
Working with local and regional partners
At the local level, the university cooperates closely with city utilities, district authorities and schools to raise awareness about water scarcity and promote responsible use of water.
- “Water is not free” school outreach in Nurafshan (31 January 2024)
Staff and doctoral students from the Department of Hydraulics and Hydroinformatics visited School No. 13 and School No. 73 in Nurafshan to run an interactive programme titled “Suv tekin emas” (“Water is not free”). Pupils and teachers learned simple, practical ways to save drinking water at home and discussed why water cannot be treated as an unlimited resource.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5470
- Field visit to water management structures and pumping stations
Within the theme “Suv xo‘jaligi inshootlari amaliy tashrif”, students visited irrigation canals, pumping stations and control structures operated by water organisations. Specialists showed how canal lining, accurate metering and modern pumps help to reduce water losses and support more reliable water delivery to farms and settlements.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6689
These activities help local communities, especially young people, to understand how their city’s water supply, irrigation and wastewater systems work and why careful use of water is essential for local water security.
Supporting national water security agendas
At national level, TIIAME NRU is a key partner of the Ministry of Water Resources and both chambers of the Oliy Majlis on issues of water security, ecosystem protection and sustainable development.
- World Wetlands Day roundtable on the Aral Sea region (2 February 2024)
The university hosted a roundtable with the Senate Committee on the Development of the Aral Sea Region and Ecology, the Ecological Movement and the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan. Discussions focused on the role of wetlands in maintaining regional water balance, the current state of the Aral Sea region and the need for integrated management of water resources and ecosystems.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5500
- World Water Day event “Water for Peace” (March 2024)
Ahead of World Water Day, TIIAME NRU organised an event under the theme “Water for Peace”. Representatives of the Senate, the Legislative Chamber, the Ministry of Water Resources and international organisations participated. The event highlighted links between water scarcity, climate change and social stability, and emphasised the importance of cooperative and equitable water sharing to prevent conflicts.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5871
- National “School of Water Workers” training on digital water metering (31 July 2024)
Under the national programme “Suvchilar maktabi” (School of Water Workers), lecturers from the Department of Hydrology and Hydrogeology – Associate Professor D. Nazaraliev, Professor A. Fatkhulloev and Assistant J. Khamrakulov – delivered a training course on improving the use of water metering and distribution devices in irrigation networks. The training covered digital technologies, mobile applications and practical methods to reduce losses and ensure transparent water distribution in irrigation systems.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6677
- Minister-led master classes on irrigation and drainage modernisation (from 2024/2025)
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Khamraev, leads regular classes for TIIAME NRU master’s students in a dedicated auditorium at the Ministry. The course “Modernisation of irrigation and drainage systems” connects national reform priorities – rehabilitation of canals, improved drainage, groundwater control – with the training of future engineers and managers.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7221
- Public discussion on water scarcity and responsible use
In 2024, a separate event on “Suv tanqisligi muammolari haqida” (“On the problem of water scarcity”) was held, focusing on global and national trends in water deficit, over-extraction of groundwater and the need to change consumption patterns in households, agriculture and industry.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7534
Through these engagements, TIIAME NRU helps shape national debates and policies on water security, while providing a bridge between decision-makers, experts and students.
International and regional cooperation on water security
TIIAME NRU is actively involved in international projects and expert dialogues that address reservoir safety, climate risks and long-term water security in Central Asia.
- World Bank seminar on reservoir sedimentation and dam safety (18–19 April 2024)
In cooperation with the World Bank, the university hosted a two-day seminar on “Reservoir Sedimentation and Integrated Dam Safety Management in Central Asia”. Professors, doctoral students and specialists from water agencies discussed how sedimentation affects the storage capacity and safety of dams, and how improved monitoring and management can protect long-term water availability in shared river basins.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6134
- UNESCO Chair event with ICID and Dayu Irrigation Group (11 October 2024)
Under the UNESCO Chair on “Water Diplomacy, Water Resources Management and Environmental Protection”, TIIAME NRU hosted a high-level meeting with the Honorary Vice-President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Dr. Mohamed Wahba, and a representative of Dayu Irrigation Group Co., Ltd. (China). Discussions focused on modern water-saving irrigation technologies, training needs in irrigation and drainage, and international cooperation to enhance water security in arid regions.
News: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7024
These events allow TIIAME NRU to bring international experience in water security to Uzbekistan and to present Central Asian challenges and solutions to global partners.
Our role in water security
Taken together, these activities show that TIIAME National Research University:
- works locally, in schools and with city utilities, to build a culture of saving water;
- cooperates nationally with ministries and parliament to support water-related policies and reforms;
- and engages internationally with organisations such as the World Bank, UNESCO and ICID on long-term water security and climate resilience.
By combining research, education and outreach, the university helps ensure that water security remains at the centre of Uzbekistan’s sustainable development agenda.
More information can be found using the following links:
https://international.tiiame.uz/en/page/Hamkor%20tashkilotlar
https://international.tiiame.uz/en/page/memarandum
https://tiiame.uz/scientific_activity/publications/laboratories
https://tiiame.uz/scientific_activity/other/developments