From 6 to 10 September 2026, at the initiative of the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Republic of Uzbekistan, a group of Uzbek specialists working in water resource management and water conservation visited Israel as part of an exchange programme focused on modern approaches to water resource management, water-saving technologies and innovative solutions.
The delegation brought together government officials, water management specialists, researchers, and experts in irrigation and agriculture from Uzbekistan, representing public authorities, research institutions and professional organizations working in the fields of water resource management and irrigation.
The programme provided participants with an opportunity to explore Israel’s water management system at different levels. The delegation visited the Israel Hydrological Service, where participants learned about water monitoring and quality control, groundwater management and cooperation among different institutions within the water sector. During visits to Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, and Gihon, Jerusalem’s water and wastewater utility, the participants explored modern approaches to urban water infrastructure management, reducing water losses, water accounting and reliable water supply. Particular attention was given to wastewater treatment and reuse, including its application in agriculture, irrigation of green areas and technical purposes.
An important part of the programme focused on the practical application of water technologies in agriculture. During the visit to Kibbutz Magal, an agricultural community in central Israel, the participants explored how water scarcity has encouraged the development of efficient irrigation technologies and new approaches to agricultural production. A separate visit to Kinneret Academic College, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, focused on the connection between academic education, research and practical solutions in the water sector. Participants learned about the college’s work in water and environmental fields, including water and wastewater treatment, desalination, water quality, hydrology and sustainability. Particular attention was given to the college’s practical approach, combining modern laboratories, computer modelling, engineering simulations and field research, as well as cooperation with companies in the water industry. The visit highlighted the importance of connecting academic knowledge, research and practical experience in developing innovative solutions for the water sector.
“Thanks to this study visit to Israel, facilitated by the Embassy of the State of Israel in Uzbekistan, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the advanced technologies that ensure the country’s water security despite its limited freshwater resources. Most importantly, I was able to compare the situation today with what I saw in Israel 30 years ago and witness the progress achieved, as well as Israel’s long-term vision for ensuring its water security over the next 20–40 years” - said Vadim Sokolov, a water-sector expert from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The experience gained is highly relevant to Uzbekistan, where effective water resource management is of strategic importance. Areas that could benefit from further development in Uzbekistan include digital water monitoring and accurate water accounting, reducing losses in water infrastructure, modern irrigation methods, more efficient groundwater management, and wastewater treatment and reuse. One of the key lessons from the visit was that addressing water challenges requires more than a single technology. It calls for an integrated approach combining infrastructure, scientific knowledge, reliable data, innovation and professional capacity-building.
The visit provided a valuable platform for professional exchange between specialists from Uzbekistan and Israel and contributed to further cooperation in the fields of sustainable water resource management, water conservation and modern water technologies.
