Water Resources Management Strategy and development of the irrigation sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021-2023 is a nationwide sectoral policy document focused on the implementation of priority areas, defined in the Concept for the Development of the Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030, as well as the achievement of the main targets indicators and indicators. The Strategy includes a number of infrastructural, political, institutional measures and capacity building activities, covering issues of sustainable water resources management and modernization of the country's irrigation sector, as well as programs and complex measures aimed at water management and the country s irrigation sector development in 2021-2023.
The Strategy envisages ensuring safety and reliable operation of water reservoirs, mudflow and reservoirs and other objects of water management system as follows: (a) in order to protect water reservoirs, mudflow and water reservoirs and other water facilities from the impact of anthropogenic man-made and natural factors to ensure their safety and reliable operation will be modernized, restored and updated control and measuring equipment as well as automated warning systems and data (information) transmission at 12 water reservoirs and other large hydraulic structures (waterworks); (b) remote monitoring capacity of safety indicators will be increased at large hydraulic structures, automated control systems will be introduced and integrated warning system will be established; (c) Smart Water technology will be introduced step by step to control and keep records of all water resources, planning water use and organization of operational water management; (d) will be introduced an updated system of water rights for irrigated regions; (e) will be developed new method of calculation of charges for the use of water resources depending on volumes of water consumption, as well as rates will be set taking into account the cost of water supply and priority areas of socio-economic policy of the state; (f) water demand will be determined at the state level, regions and water basins based on the priority of water use of sectors of the economy and the environment and taking into account future changes, including factors contributing to climate change and economic growth; and (g) water abstraction limits will be set for the population and sectors of the economy, including utilities, industry, restoration of the ecological balance and agriculture, taking into account their priorities.
Expected results: (a) increasing the responsibility of water users and water consumers for the efficient use of water resources, as well as the large-scale introduction of water-saving irrigation technologies, innovative and information and communication technologies in water management; (b) strengthening the legal status of water user associations, fundamental improvement of their activities, increasing the role and empowerment in the field of water management, introduction of effective mechanisms for interaction with authorities of state water consumers and economic management; (c) further improvement of contractual terms and conditions related to water, between legal entities and natural persons, the introduction of the mechanisms of public-private partnership in the operation of water management facilities; (d) improving water use planning and water consumption for agricultural needs, issuance of permits for special water use or special water consumption, as well as setting water abstraction limits; and (e) strengthening of works on protection of water and water basins.