Uzbekistan Embraces Digital Transformation in Water Management

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans to implement a new digital system aimed at modernizing the country’s water management sector.

The initiative, called the “State Water Cadastre,” will help streamline and improve the efficiency of water resource monitoring and usage across Uzbekistan, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The system is scheduled to launch in April 2026.

A separate platform, “Suv hisobi,” will also be introduced for precise electronic accounting of water usage. It aims to minimize human error and improve resource efficiency.

To ensure data accuracy, the system will be integrated with the “Digital Agriculture” platform, which will allow for automatic updates on irrigated lands and water limits.

In addition, a Center for Digitalization and Monitoring of the Water Management System will be established under the Ministry of Water Management to consolidate all sectoral data into a single system. The center will analyze information related to water balance, pumping stations, and water consumption. A separate deputy minister will be appointed to oversee the digitalization process.

A flexible staffing and KPI-based performance evaluation system will also be introduced for local water supply services.

Starting from 2026, employee incentive mechanisms will be directly linked to practical results - specifically, the ratio between the volume of water supplied and the amount delivered to end users.

To strengthen financial independence, institutions will be allowed to allocate 40% of collected water tax revenues toward development purposes.

In 2026, half of the pumping stations in several regions will be transferred to private management. In Namangan region, the “Chartak experiment” project will be launched, under which private companies will automate and modernize pumping stations.

This year, Uzbekistan will also launch the “Water Workers’ School” project to train farmers, with demonstration fields to be established in every district.

President Mirziyoyev instructed officials to accelerate the digitalization process, automate accounting and reporting, improve service quality, and expand public-private partnerships. At the end of the meeting, the head of state signed the corresponding documents.