Sustainable water policy in Uzbekistan thanks to new water laws
Uzbekistan is facing growing water scarcity, largely due to inefficient water management and climate change. Switzerland supports Uzbekistan in using its scarce water resources in a climate-resilient, sustainable and inclusive manner. On 31 October 2025, new water legislation that Switzerland helped draft over the past few years will come into force. This is in line with the Confederation's International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, which aims to promote stability in Central Asian countries.
Uzbekistan is suffering severe water scarcity. For decades, in parallel to population growth, the amount of water available per capita has been in constant decline.
Climate change and inefficient water use are responsible for this. One example from agriculture is the water-intensive production of cotton, where a large part of the water is lost due to antiquated systems.
The SDC supports the Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in taking joint, science-based action to advance sustainable approaches to managing their scarce water resources. Such action is also essential for ensuring that communities are protected as much as possible from natural disasters and have access to drinking water and sanitary facilities.
New water laws with Swiss support
Uzbekistan has now adopted a comprehensive new legal framework, a water code, to protect and manage its increasingly scarce water resources. This is a step towards greater sustainability and climate resilience. On 30 July 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the laws recognising water as a national asset and thus placing it under additional state protection. The code enters into force on 31 October 2025.
Switzerland advocated in particular for incorporating the fundamental principles of integrated water resources management into the draft legislation and ensuring that it was subject to broad consultation. The code anchors various approaches of Switzerland's international cooperation in Uzbekistan's system, such as cross-border cooperation on water issues at the highest level and water protection regulations including sanctions.
The approaches to water management promoted by Switzerland have been institutionalised in the water code, and can therefore be scaled up on a broad basis.
Securing long-term water supply
The approaches to water management promoted by Switzerland have been institutionalised in the water code. This will allow Swiss water-related projects to be implemented more swiftly, without being obstructed by a lack of legal foundations.
In view of global warming, water scarcity and growing demand from agriculture and industry, the new code marks an important step towards systematically securing Uzbekistan's long-term water supply. The SDC continues to support this pioneering reform by providing expertise, promoting inclusive governance and strengthening cross-border cooperation.
Switzerland in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a priority country for Switzerland's international cooperation, as represented by the SDC. In keeping with its International Cooperation Strategy 2025–28, Switzerland supports Uzbekistan in its economic, social and democratic development and in promoting good governance. Beyond this, it pursues an integrated and regional approach to cross-border water management.
This also corresponds to the priorities of the Swiss chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2026:
- promoting people-centred governance
- connecting science and diplomacy, especially in the areas of water, energy and digital security.
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