Uzbekistan, EDB and EFSD Sign Memorandum on Cooperation for the Preparation of a Water Management Infrastructure Modernization Project
Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation on modernizing 95 pumping stations in the Bukhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions.
What this will deliver:
· Energy savings – modern energy-efficient technologies will reduce consumption by tens of percentage points.
· Reliable water supply for agricultural land – covering millions of hectares of crops.
· Digital control – the introduction of real-time monitoring and management systems for pumping stations.
The document was signed by Utkir Sheraliev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan; Alexey Skatin, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board; and Iaroslav Mandron, EFSD Managing Director. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum.
"Pumping stations are the heart of the irrigation system of five regions. Their modernization will directly affect water security and crop yields. The introduction of digital monitoring and energy-efficient technologies marks a new stage in water resource management that we aim to achieve with the support of our partners," said Utkir Sheraliev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan.
"A systemic solution for 95 facilities in five regions means thousands of hectares of agricultural land receiving stable water supply, and millions of kilowatt-hours saved. The EDB is ready to be a reliable financial partner in this important initiative for Uzbekistan. Every dollar invested in water infrastructure, by our estimates, generates three dollars in economic effect. And this project is direct evidence of how investment in modernization works for people, for the economy, and for the future of the region," said Alexey Skatin, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board.
"The modernization of pumping stations is an important infrastructure project that can enhance the efficiency of water resource use and the energy efficiency of water management facilities. The EFSD is considering its participation in the project preparation. We also welcome the interest of the Republic of Uzbekistan in developing cooperation with the EFSD," said Iaroslav Mandron, EFSD Managing Director.
Water security is a priority for Central Asia
The problem of deteriorating water management infrastructure is acute in the region. According to the EDB study "Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Central Asia" (2024), the deterioration of water supply networks in Central Asia reaches 80%, and water losses during transportation are as high as 55%. The annual financing gap in the sector is estimated at USD 2 billion.
Every dollar invested in the modernization of water infrastructure, according to EDB estimates, generates three dollars in economic effect. The project to upgrade 95 pumping stations in five regions of Uzbekistan is a concrete step towards addressing this systemic challenge. It will not only improve the reliability of water supply for agricultural land but also reduce energy consumption and lay the groundwork for the digitalization of water resource management.