Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Director of the International Institute of Central Asia (IICA) Javlon Vakhabov met with the director of the Central Asian branch of the Korean Water Resources Corporation (“K-water”) Lee Chai Ku.

During the meeting, a detailed exchange of views took place on the current situation with water resources and climate change in Central Asia. The parties noted the importance of increasing the efficiency of water resource use against the backdrop of their reduction.

Regarding the activities of K-Water in Uzbekistan, the head of the representative office informed about the implementation of five major projects aimed primarily at improving drinking water supply and sanitation, strengthening the professional capabilities of water supply operators and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solve problems in the use of transboundary water resources.

Support for the development of the water supply system in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and increasing the efficiency of water supply and sanitation in Tashkent were noted as the most significant of them.

In this regard, Lee Chai Ku expressed readiness to further provide technical support in familiarizing specialists with the best practices of South Korea in the field of rational use of water resources, water quality control, flood prevention and innovative technical solutions in the construction of hydropower stations.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to issues of advanced training of personnel in the field of water resources management. The work of “K-water” in organizing special courses and trainings for ministries and departments of Uzbekistan, as well as holding an innovative competition in the field of integrated water resources management and “green” energy among students of specialized universities in Uzbekistan, was highly appreciated and supported.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to maintain contacts on an ongoing basis with the aim of exchanging experiences and opinions on areas of mutual interest.

K-water is a state agency for the integrated development of water resources and the provision of water to the population and industry in South Korea, founded in 1967. The agency’s scope of activity is the construction, operation and management of facilities for the integrated use of water resources, as well as renewable energy facilities.