On 30 January, the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission on Water Management Issues was held in Khiva. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen delegation was headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tangryguly Atahallyev, and the Uzbek delegation was headed by Shuhrat Ganiyev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Agricultural Development.

The meeting was attended by heads and representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the two countries responsible for water resources management, irrigation and environmental protection.

The co-chairs of the commission noted the high level of bilateral relations based on the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual trust and equality. They emphasised the parties' desire to expand cooperation not only in the water sector, but also in other areas of economic, infrastructural and humanitarian interaction.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the introduction of modern technologies for rational water use, the improvement of mechanisms for monitoring and accounting for water resources, the development of human resources in the sector, as well as issues of adaptation to climate change and the reduction of associated risks.

The parties confirmed their intention to continue regular bilateral consultations and commission meetings, as well as to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for cooperation.

Following the meeting, the Protocol of the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission on Water Management Issues was signed.