On October 17, 2025, Dushanbe hosted the 7th meeting of the River Basin Council for the management of water resources in the Kafirnigan River Basin.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan with the support of the regional program ‘Climate-sensitive Water Resources Management in Central Asia’ implemented by GIZ. The meeting served as an important platform for dialogue among stakeholders, aimed at promoting sustainable water resources management in the context of climate change.
Around 70 specialists participated in the meeting, including 25 women representing Tajikistan’s water sector, as well as delegates from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran. The wide international representation highlighted the importance of transboundary cooperation and coordinated efforts within the basin approach to water resources management.
A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Draft Basin Water Resources Management Plan for the Kafirnigan River Basin for 2026–2030. The document, prepared by national experts, aims to ensure rational, sustainable, and balanced water use, taking into account environmental, economic, and social factors. The Plan includes specific measures to improve the state of water resources, enhance water-use efficiency, and support adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
For the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Plan holds particular significance as a strategic tool for implementing national water policy. It contributes to achieving priority goals in sustainable development, food and water security, and regional cooperation. The Plan will serve as an important basis for management decision-making, resource allocation, and investment planning in the country’s water sector.
Following the discussions, the Draft Basin Plan was submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan for review and subsequent approval. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of regional countries to jointly address water management challenges and to strengthen cooperation based on the principles of integrated water resources management.
