Progress report for
Ensure a full transition to the integrated water resources management through the National Water Resources Strategy
Achievement at a glance
Tajikistan has developed the draft National Water Strategy for the period up to 2040. The National Water Strategy has been developed in accordance with the Water Code of Tajikistan, the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, the Medium-Term Development Programme of Tajikistan for 2021-2025 and the Water Sector Reform Programme of Tajikistan for the period 2016-2025.The National Water Strategy defines the basic principles of the state policy in the field of water resources use and protection, strategic guidelines for long-term inclusive Integrated Water Resources Management (IRWM), the main directions of activities on water resources use and protection taking into account the interests of all water users and the prospects of socio-economic development of Tajikistan, protection from the negative impact of water under the changing climate. The National Water Strategy is aimed at ensuring the implementation of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6, as well as fulfilment of international commitments of the Republic of Tajikistan on adaptation to climate change in the water sector.
Expected results of the national water strategy implementation: Implementation of the National Water Strategy will contribute to a balanced socio-economic development of the country, expanding the population's access to water supply and sanitation systems, maintaining a high level of food, industrial and energy security and realizing the constitutional rights of citizens to a favorable environment.
Challenges faced in implementation
The strategy addresses the main challenges of the water sector in Tajikistan.• Climate change. Over the last 50 years, glacier volumes have decreased on average by 30 % and this trend continues. Glacier melting has a negative impact on the formation of water resources. Increase of air temperature will lead to increase of irrigation norms, increase of low-water years, ‘aridization’ of the region.
• Population growth. Tajikistan's population is projected to increase by another 2 million by 2030
• Infrastructure deterioration and underfunding. The water infrastructure was mainly built in the 70-80s and is largely worn out. The allocated funds are insufficient for the development of the sector.
• Economic development. According to the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan, by 2030 it is planned to achieve a 3-fold growth in GDP and a 2.5-fold growth in GDP per capita.
Next Steps
The Strategy is set to be approved by the Government of Tajikistan in August 2024.Beneficiaries
The Strategy will benefit Tajikistan’s current and future population (12 million people in 2030) and will positively impact water cooperation with neighboring countries.
Actions
Measures to implement the national water strategy:The system of measures of the Strategy is formed in accordance with the goals and objectives of its implementation and consists of measures aimed at:
• Guaranteed water supply to the population and economic sectors;
• Elimination of water scarcity;
• Providing the population with quality drinking water and wastewater disposal services;
• Ensuring sustainable functioning and development of the land reclamation and irrigation sector;
• Protection and restoration of water bodies;
• Ensuring protection from the negative impact of water;
• Improvement of state regulation and control over the use and protection of water bodies;
• Development of the system of state monitoring of water bodies;
• Scientific and technical support for the implementation of the national water strategy;
• Personnel support for implementation of the national water strategy;
• Educating and informing the population on the use and protection of water bodies.
Financing the National Water Strategy
The activities of the National Water Strategy will be financed from budgetary funds allocated annually to relevant ministries and departments, local executive bodies of state power, private investments and public-private partnership, loans and grants from international organizations and other sources that do not contradict the legislation of Tajikistan.
To finance the implementation of the envisaged activities, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan will take measures to increase public and private investment in water infrastructure. It is expected that the increase in public expenditures will also contribute to the growth of private investments, development of public-private partnership in the water sector, as well as strengthening the support of the international community and donors.