Uzbekistan Joins World Bank’s “Water Forward,” Aiming to Reach 1 Billion People by 2030

The World Bank Group has launched a new global platform aimed at improving water security, as Uzbekistan continues to expand cooperation with international financial institutions on infrastructure development. In a statement released on April 15, the World Bank announced the launch of “Water Forward,” an initiative developed in partnership with multilateral development banks and other institutions. The platform aims to improve access to reliable water services for 1 billion people by 2030 by aligning policy reforms, financing, and international partnerships. For Uzbekistan, where water management remains closely tied to agriculture and regional climate conditions, such initiatives come as the country continues to modernize its infrastructure and attract international financing. Earlier, on March 23, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $200 million project to upgrade transport infrastructure in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region. According to the bank, the project is intended to improve connectivity, support economic activity, and enhance access to services in the southern part of the country. “Water is foundational to how economies function. When water systems work, farmers produce, businesses operate, and cities attract investment,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said. “Our task now is to align reform, financing, and partnerships to deliver reliable water services at scale.” According to the World Bank, around 4 billion people globally experience water scarcity, despite water supporting health systems, agriculture, energy production, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs. Weak regulations, unclear policies, and underfunded utilities have slowed investment in many countries, particularly in developing economies. The new platform will focus on country-led “water compacts,” under which governments set priorities for reforms, strengthen institutions, and outline investment strategies for the sector. Fourteen countries have already announced such compacts, while additional agreements are expected. The initiative also brings together a wide range of financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Islamic Development Bank, to coordinate funding and technical expertise. The World Bank said it aims to help deliver water security to 400 million people directly, with partner contributions expected to raise the total to over 1 billion.

Astana Renews Call for Nuclear Dialogue, Global Security Reform

Kazakhstan has reiterated its call for the resumption of high-level dialogue among nuclear powers and a renewed focus on multilateralism to bolster global security. The appeal was made by First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev during the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, held on the theme “From Polarization to Partnership: Restoring Trust in the International System.” Ashikbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for forming a unified Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community and its commitment to contributing to a new international order. “We call for the resumption of dialogue between nuclear powers and a scaling up of multilateral efforts to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Kazakhstan is committed to making a world without nuclear weapons the key goal of the 21st century,” he said. The forum gathered around 40 international experts from 20 countries, including diplomats, researchers, and heads of leading think tanks. UN Reform and Regional Equity Ashikbayev called for reforming the UN Security Council to ensure broader, more equitable representation for countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He also highlighted the growing role of “middle powers” in fostering trust and regional stability. “We advocate strict adherence to the UN Charter and a modernized institutional architecture that reflects today’s global challenges, not outdated procedures. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful conflict resolution must be upheld universally,” he said. He proposed a new global security framework based on “regional stability as the foundation for global peace,” grounded in international law and multilateral cooperation. Digital Sovereignty and AI Governance In addressing the implications of emerging technologies, Ashikbayev stressed the need for a global regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. “Access to AI must be fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory. This is not just a technological issue, it’s about digital sovereignty and equitable global development,” he said, affirming Kazakhstan’s readiness to participate in shaping international AI standards. Environmental Diplomacy and Climate Strategy Ashikbayev also emphasized environmental priorities, urging greater international involvement in addressing ecological challenges and protecting shared water resources in the Aral and Caspian Seas. He noted that Kazakhstan plays an active role in the global climate agenda and will host a regional climate summit in Astana in 2026 to advance collective environmental strategies in Central Asia. “Kazakhstan is pursuing carbon neutrality by 2060 through pragmatic steps, including economic diversification and a balanced energy approach. We are expanding renewables while ensuring energy security through traditional sectors,” he said. The Rise of Middle Powers Ashikbayev underscored the rising influence of middle powers in today’s fragmented geopolitical landscape, positioning them as vital mediators and conveners of dialogue. Charles Maclean, founder and managing director of Borderless Consulting Group, echoed this view. “While the spotlight is often on great powers, middle powers are emerging as drivers of constructive reform. Kazakhstan’s growing role and the presence of its leadership on global platforms reflect this new leadership model,” he said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, independent studies by Institut Montaigne (France) and the Institute for Security and International Studies (Germany) have both identified Kazakhstan as...