SHUKALB Participates in the Central Asia Regional Drinking Water and Sanitation Utilities Conference

? Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 6–8 October 2025

The Central Asia Regional Drinking Water and Sanitation Utilities Conference, held in Tashkent from 6 to 8 October 2025, convened over 250 professionals, policymakers, and utility leaders from across Central Asia and beyond to share experiences and explore innovative solutions for strengthening water supply and sanitation (WSS) systems in the region.

Organized by Uzsuvtaminot Joint Stock Company of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the World Bank, K-Water, and other development partners, the event was themed “Harnessing Digital Solutions to Enhance the Efficiency, Quality and Sustainability of Water Supply and Sewerage Services.” It served as a platform for peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and climate resilience in the water sector.

SHUKALB was represented by Ms. Elisabeta Poci, Executive Director, who was featured as a speaker during the session themed “Connecting and Collaborating – Establishing the Water Partnerships,” held on 7 October 2025.

In her presentation, Ms. Poci shared SHUKALB’s experience in building and sustaining regional partnerships as a means to strengthen the water sector beyond national borders. She highlighted successful examples of cooperation between SHUKALB and SHUKOS (Kosova) under the Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition, but also with the International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD), the European Water Association (EWA), and the International Water Association (IWA), at the international level, emphasizing how such collaborations foster shared learning, build institutional capacity, and promote sustainable water management practices.

Ms. Poci underlined that collaboration among utilities and associations is crucial to addressing shared challenges — from managing limited water resources under climate stress to embracing digital transformation for improved efficiency and transparency. She also encouraged cross-regional knowledge exchange between the Balkans and Central Asia, recognizing the mutual benefits of continued dialogue and cooperation among utilities facing similar developmental challenges.

About the Conference

The three-day event featured plenary and parallel sessions, technical discussions on digitalization and operational efficiency, and field visits to WSS facilities in Tashkent. An accompanying technology exhibition showcased innovative tools for improving service delivery and sustainability.

The conference underscored the need for collaborative, digital, and climate-resilient approaches to ensure efficient and reliable water and sanitation services across the region.

SHUKALB’s participation reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to regional collaboration, professional development, and knowledge exchange. By engaging in international platforms such as this, SHUKALB continues to contribute to the global dialogue on the future of the water and sanitation sector, sharing the Balkans’ experience while learning from other regions striving toward the same goal — sustainable and resilient water utilities for all.