On 15 November 2024, WE-ACT brought together key stakeholders for a full-day workshop at the “Silk Road” conference hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The event focused on transboundary water allocation simulation and irrigation water tariffs in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The day fostered collaboration, mutual learning, and actionable outcomes for water resource management in the Syr Darya river basin.

What WE-ACT Did

1. Transboundary Water Allocation Simulation
Using the innovative simulation tool Together We Flow, WE-ACT created an interactive environment where decision-makers from the Syr Darya basin engaged in practical exercises to explore trade-offs in water allocation. Participants balanced economic, environmental, and socio-cultural values in decision-making scenarios, gaining insights into the complexities of managing shared water resources.

• Who attended: Decision-makers, government officials, and researchers.
• Outcome: Strengthened understanding of cooperative water management, enriched perspectives on stakeholder values, and provided valuable data for ongoing research led by the University of Twente.

2. Water Tariffs Workshop
In the afternoon, discussions shifted to the current legal and institutional frameworks of irrigation water tariffs in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Participants explored how pricing affects agricultural productivity, equity, and sustainability. Comparative analysis and group discussions led to recommendations for refining water governance.

• Who attended: Policy experts, water user associations, and practitioners.
• Outcome: Clearer understanding of existing challenges, actionable recommendations for improving tariff structures, and enhanced dialogue on best practices between the two countries.

The workshop was more than just an academic exercise; it was a forum for open dialogue and shared learning. Simulation was “eye-opening” for understanding others’ perspectives, and the tariff discussions sparked meaningful debates about practical solutions for water governance.

Why It Matters

This workshop exemplifies WE-ACT’s commitment to fostering resilience and equity in water resource management.

For further information: https://weact-project.eu/building-bridges-for-water-governance-we-act-hosts-water-allocation-simulation-and-tariffs-in-central-asia-workshop/

Author: WE-ACT project