Uzbekistan Becomes Party to International Protocol on Water and Health

Uzbekistan has officially joined the Protocol on Water and Health, a key international agreement that complements the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.

According to Olga Mirshina, a specialist from the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health, issues of hygiene, sanitation, water, and health are highly relevant for Uzbekistan, given its arid climate, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

“Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia and is a country strongly affected by both climate change and water supply challenges,” she said.

The expert noted that the region’s dry climate affects sanitation conditions and the water supply system.

“We decided that the Protocol would be one of the key instruments to help us promote safe drinking water supply, proper sanitation, and the implementation of hygiene standards in all public facilities,” Mirshina explained.

In force since 2005, the Protocol helps countries ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for all segments of the population.

This legally binding document remains the only international agreement that directly connects the areas of environment, water resources, and public health.