The meeting was chaired by the Director of the Institute and served as an important platform for interagency and international dialogue aimed at developing coordinated approaches to groundwater resource management.

The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the international organization HELVETAS, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, as well as relevant scientific institutions and government agencies.

 In his opening remarks, the Director of the Institute emphasized that sustainable groundwater management is gaining increasing importance in the context of:

• climate change and accelerated glacier retreat;
• growing water demand and increasing anthropogenic pressure;
• the need to transition to a systematic and coordinated approach to water resources management.

  It was noted that current groundwater management practices remain fragmented and insufficiently coordinated, which necessitates the establishment of a unified national platform for stakeholder engagement, data sharing, and joint decision-making.

 During the meeting, participants addressed key issues related to:

• the implementation of the National Water Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan up to 2040;
• the current status and challenges of groundwater use, particularly in the Sughd region;
• the improvement of the regulatory and institutional framework for groundwater management;
• the development of monitoring systems, data management, and digitalization;
• the study of international best practices in sustainable groundwater management.

Special attention was given to the rational use of groundwater, prevention of resource depletion, and the need to strengthen control over well drilling and improve the permitting system.

 It was highlighted that the project aims to ensure sustainable and rational use of groundwater resources, preserve ecosystems, and enhance the resilience of the water sector to climate change.

The project includes a set of measures such as:

• assessment of groundwater reserves;
• modernization of monitoring systems and introduction of digital solutions;
• improvement of the institutional and legal framework;
• strengthening interagency coordination mechanisms.

It was emphasized that the project’s activities are fully aligned with the priorities of the National Water Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan.

 To promote knowledge exchange and learn from best practices, a study visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan is planned. The visit will focus on:

• groundwater monitoring systems;
• water management mechanisms;
• digitalization and data management practices;
• regulatory tools for water use.

  At the conclusion of the meeting, participants underlined the importance of establishing a permanent dialogue platform for addressing groundwater management issues, as well as the need to further strengthen interagency cooperation and international partnerships.

  The first Roundtable marked an important step toward developing a comprehensive approach to groundwater management and laid the foundation for continued collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.