Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 19 February 2025, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Jamshid Kuchkarov, held negotiations with SUEZ Group CEO Pierre Poliak to discuss modernizing Uzbekistan’s water infrastructure.

The French delegation included France’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Aurélia Bouchez, SUEZ’s CEO for Europe and Central Asia, Paul Bourdon, CEO for Central Asia and the Caucasus, Silver Delonay, and other company representatives.

On the Uzbek side, the meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilkhomjon Umrzakov, acting Chairman of Uzsuvtaminot JSC, Akhmad Suvonkulov, and representatives of relevant agencies.

The discussions focused on modernizing water supply systems and training specialists. The parties explored projects aimed at improving water distribution and purification systems in Uzbekistan, including public-private partnership initiatives in Surkhandarya and the upgrading of Tashkent’s water infrastructure. The importance of implementing advanced technologies and sustainable solutions to enhance water quality was emphasized.

Additionally, the meeting addressed educational cooperation, particularly the development of training programs for highly qualified water management specialists at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in water supply, wastewater treatment, and resource management, as well as implementing projects that support sustainable development and environmental security in the region.