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