At a panel session of the V Tashkent International Investment Forum, experts outlined the key takeaways:

Low economic returns from water. In Uzbekistan, each cubic meter of water generates less than $3 in GDP — compared with a global average of $23. Inefficient water use costs the region an estimated $5 billion in lost opportunities every year.

Agriculture is at the heart of the problem. It accounts for around 90% of water consumption in Uzbekistan, while some 80% of water comes from transboundary sources. By 2050, these inflows are projected to decline by 30%, threatening a 20% drop in agricultural output.

Investment is needed not in new sources, but in efficiency. Modernizing irrigation infrastructure, deploying digital monitoring systems, reusing treated wastewater, and applying precision agriculture technologies are the priority areas. Total investment needs are estimated at $40 billion.

Water must carry a real economic value. Experts pointed to a paradox: artificially low tariffs encourage wasteful consumption, whereas support for vulnerable groups should be provided through direct subsidies rather than by underpricing the resource.

Regional cooperation is indispensable. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins account for more than 85% of the region's water resources, yet the largest consumers and the main water sources are located in different countries. Joint management of these basins is essential for sustainable development.

Read more: https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2026/06/19/water-energy-agriculture/