Uzbekistan, EDB and EFSD Sign Memorandum on Cooperation for the Preparation of a Water Management Infrastructure Modernisation Project
Tashkent, 18 June 2026. — Five regions of Uzbekistan will receive an upgraded water supply system. The Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilisation and Development (EFSD) have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation on the modernise 95 pumping stations in the Bukhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions.
What this will deliver:
- Energy savings – modern energy-efficient technologies will reduce consumption by tens of per cent.
- Reliable water supply for agricultural land – covering millions of hectares of crops.
- Digital control – the introduction of real-time monitoring and management systems for pumping stations.
The document was signed by Utkir Sheraliev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan; Alexey Skatin, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board; and Yaroslav Mandron, EFSD Managing Director. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum.
Quotes:
"Pumping stations are the heart of the irrigation system of five regions. Their modernisation will directly affect water security and crop yields. The introduction of digital monitoring and energy-efficient technologies represents a new level of water resource management that we aim to achieve with the support of our partners," said Utkir Sheraliev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan.
"A systemic solution for 95 facilities in five regions means thousands of hectares of agricultural land receiving stable water supply, and millions of kilowatt-hours saved. The EDB is ready to be a reliable financial partner in this important initiative for Uzbekistan. Every dollar invested in water infrastructure, by our estimates, generates three dollars in economic effect. And this project is direct evidence of how investment in modernisation works for people, for the economy, and for the future of the region," said Alexey Skatin, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board.
"The modernisation of pumping stations is an important infrastructure project that can enhance the efficiency of water resource use and the energy efficiency of water management facilities. The EFSD is considering participation in the project preparation. We also welcome the interest of the Republic of Uzbekistan in developing cooperation with the EFSD," said Yaroslav Mandron, EFSD Managing Director.
Water security is a priority for Central Asia
The problem of deteriorating water management infrastructure is acute in the region. According to the EDB study "Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Central Asia" (2024), the wear and tear of water supply networks in Central Asia reaches 80%, and water losses during transportation are as high as 55%. The annual financing gap in the sector is estimated at USD 2 billion.
Every dollar invested in the modernisation of water infrastructure, according to EDB estimates, generates three dollars in economic effect. The project to upgrade 95 pumping stations in five regions of Uzbekistan is a concrete step towards addressing this systemic challenge. It will not only improve the reliability of water supply for agricultural land but also reduce energy consumption and lay the groundwork for the digitalisation of water resource management.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of December 2025, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 326 projects with a total investment of US $19,6 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022–2026 Strategy: the Eurasian Transport Network, the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System and the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex.
The Eurasian Fund for Stabilisation and Development (EFSD) is a regional financial arrangement with a volume of USD 9.8 billion, established in 2009 by the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The EFSD's key mandate is to promote economic and financial stability in its member states and to support their sustainable development. The EFSD is an integral part of the global financial safety net and its regional component for Eurasia.
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