The delegation met with Haoliang Xu, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Acting Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The UN representative was especially impressed by the quick results in the country’s water sector and the rapid adoption of innovative solutions. He noted that these reforms are propelled by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s strong political will and strategic vision. Additionally, he conveyed UNDP’s ongoing commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s water reform initiatives.

The delegation met with Li Junhua, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. The discussion highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration to improve water security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Li Junhua supported Uzbekistan’s plan to seek UN recognition for the World Water Conservation Forum and assured that the UN would provide extensive support in organizing this significant high-level forum in Samarkand.

The Uzbekistan delegation also met with Finland’s Special Envoy for Water, Antti Rautavaara. The historic results achieved in Uzbekistan under the President’s leadership, which elevated water issues to the level of state policy, were highly praised. The Finnish side expressed support for improving mechanisms for joint management of transboundary water resources with Uzbekistan, for continuing the partnership within the framework of the UN international water conventions, and for encouraging new countries to join these agreements.

The parties also explored the idea of creating a cooperation platform for Central Asia, inspired by the Finnish Water Forum model, to unite the government, academia, and business sectors. They affirmed their willingness to share experiences between their respective agencies, advance water diplomacy, and carry out joint projects to ensure sustainable water resource management.

As part of the forum, the Uzbekistan delegation also held a bilateral meeting with Meike van Ginneken, the Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and learned about the European Union’s extensive experience in the water sector.

The Netherlands has historically not experienced water scarcity, but in recent years shortages have arisen due to global climate change. Consequently, international cooperation on water issues is crucial for the Netherlands, which relies heavily on transboundary water sources. EU countries face shared water challenges and collaborate on solutions.

Following the meeting, Meike van Ginneken commended Uzbekistan’s water-sector reforms and the progress made. She also expressed her full willingness to work closely on sustainable water resource management.