OSCE supports legal reform and institutional capacity for water management in Tajikistan

From June to August 2026, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), in close co-operation with the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation and Tajikistan’s National Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, conducted five public consultations on the Draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Irrigation and Land Reclamation” and the Draft “Procedures for Establishing Tariffs for Water Supply and Collector-Drainage Services in Reclamation and Irrigation Systems”.

The draft documents, developed with the support of the OSCE POiD in 2025, were presented and discussed during consultations held in GBAO, Khatlon Region, Sughd Region and in the districts under Republican Subordination. The consultations brought together more than 100 representatives of government institutions, water management organizations, local communities, water-sector experts and other stakeholders.

The consultations contributed to the ongoing development of Tajikistan’s legal and institutional framework for water resource management. The proposed reforms are an important step towards strengthening water governance, clarifying institutional arrangements and improving the regulation of water-related services. By bringing together national and regional stakeholders, the consultations also helped ensure that practical perspectives from across the country inform the development of the draft documents, laying a foundation for continued legal reform and more effective and sustainable management of water resources.

These initiatives demonstrate continued support of the OSCE POiD to the Government of Tajikistan in advancing water-sector reform and strengthening institutional capacity in water governance. The Office remains committed to promoting sustainable water management, strengthening the legal and institutional framework of the sector, and advancing co-operation on water and energy security in line with its mandate and OSCE commitments.