World Bank to fund $20M water resource management in Central Asia

Central Asian nations are set to receive a significant boost in their efforts to manage water resources, a critical issue for the region.

The World Bank will allocate a $20 million grant to modernize water management systems, develop digital metering, and prepare new transboundary projects. This initiative, part of the "Cooperation for Effective Water Resources Management in Central Asia" program, will be channeled through the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The project aims to directly or indirectly benefit around 40 million people. It seeks to tackle systemic challenges including aging infrastructure, poor coordination between countries, and insufficient data sharing on vital waterways like the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Climate change is intensifying these problems, with glaciers shrinking by 30 percent over the past 60 years, directly impacting water availability. Experts estimate that poor coordination costs the region over $4.5 billion annually.

By 2031, the project plans to develop up to six major transboundary water infrastructure initiatives. These will focus on modernizing irrigation, water storage, and coordinated resource management. A key component is digitalization, with updates planned for water metering and information systems in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins. Specialist training and capacity building for regional organizations are also included.

The World Bank highlighted that sustainable water management is intrinsically linked to economic growth and job creation in Central Asia. This new project is expected to foster closer regional cooperation and help address shared water challenges.