Uzbekistan's ambitious modernization drive confronts a stark reality: approximately seven million citizens—nearly 20 percent of the population—lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, exposing a critical infrastructure deficit that threatens the nation's development trajectory.
In Central Asia's heartland, ancient Silk Road cities navigate modern challenges of water, borders, and development. The crisis, acknowledged by government officials and World Bank specialists, reveals the gap between Uzbekistan's reform rhetoric and the basic service needs of millions.
Odete Duarte Muximpua, Lead Specialist in Water Supply and Sanitation at the World Bank, highlighted the severity during recent consultations: "Around 7 million people do not have access to safe water supply and sanitation, and only one-third of wastewater is treated. Effective management and the availability of qualified personnel are crucial."
The water infrastructure crisis stands in sharp contrast to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's efforts to attract foreign investment and position Uzbekistan as Central Asia's economic hub. Since liberalization reforms began in 2016, the government has opened the economy to international capital, privatized state enterprises, and courted Western development institutions. Yet fundamental infrastructure deficits persist, particularly in rural areas where the majority of affected populations reside.
The crisis carries multiple dimensions. Water scarcity in Central Asia—driven by Soviet-era irrigation practices, climate change, and population growth—compounds the challenge of delivering safe drinking water. Uzbekistan shares the Aral Sea basin with neighboring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, making regional water cooperation essential yet politically complex.
