International Experts Discuss Sustainable Groundwater Management in Tajikistan

As part of the Groundwater Management Project in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Helvetas Tajikistan in partnership with IGRAC and IHE Delft, a roundtable on “International Experience in Sustainable Groundwater Management” was held in Dushanbe on 11 November 2026.

Hosted by the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (IWP), the event brought together experts from Tajikistan and other countries to share knowledge, practical experience, and ideas for improving groundwater management.

The discussions focused on three main topics:

• Coordinated water management

Participants discussed how government institutions, research organisations, and other stakeholders can work together more effectively and share information.

• Modern groundwater monitoring

Experts shared experience from different countries and discussed ways to improve the collection and assessment of groundwater data.

• Information management and digital tools

Participants explored how reliable data, digital systems, and better information sharing can support informed decisions about groundwater resources.

The discussions included contributions from representatives of IHE Delft, IGRAC, the International Water Management Institute, the UNECE Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment, the Geological Survey of Estonia, Uzbekhydrogeology, and scientific institutions in Tajikistan.

Special attention was given to how international experience can be adapted to the needs of Tajikistan, particularly the Sughd Region. Participants also discussed priority areas for strengthening sustainable groundwater management under the project.