The Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Switzerland Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Regional Water Cooperation under Blue Peace Central Asia Initiative

Tashkent, Uzbekistan – May 27, 2025 – The Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Swiss Confederation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the framework of the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative, reaffirming their joint commitment to promoting regional cooperation, sustainable water management, and transboundary dialogue in Central Asia.

The MoU was signed by Shavkat Khamrayev, Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Ambassador Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Global Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland. The signing of this MoU strengthens the foundation for long-term cooperation between Uzbekistan and Switzerland in the field of integrated water resources management. It aims to enhance transboundary water dialogue, build institutional and technical capacity, and foster trust among regional stakeholders.

“This MoU marks another milestone in the strong and growing relationship between Switzerland and Uzbekistan. It demonstrates our commitment to fostering collaboration that advances peace, stability, and inclusive development” stated Ambassador Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Global Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland.

Launched by Switzerland in 2010 and active in Central Asia since 2017, the BPCA initiative promotes water as a tool for peace, resilience, and regional development. It supports joint research, data sharing, and science-based policymaking to improve transparency and cooperation in water governance. The initiative also prioritizes social inclusion by empowering youth, women, and local communities to take an active role in shaping regional water strategies. 

The BPCA initiative is implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). It operates in close collaboration with national governments and regional organizations to ensure its efforts align with local priorities and deliver sustainable impact.

BPCA’s approach is guided by three strategic pillars:

• Hydro-diplomacy: advancing science-informed regional policy dialogues on shared water governance and cooperation;
• Benefit-sharing: supporting transboundary tributary projects that demonstrate the tangible value of collaboration and improve access to financing;
• Capacity building: empowering youth, media, and the next generation of water professionals to actively contribute to regional water cooperation.

This agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening regional cooperation around water, a shared and vital resource for the future of Central Asia.