Innovative Approaches to Water Resources Management
25–26 March 2026 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan
World Water Day is observed worldwide to raise awareness of water-related challenges, highlight the value of water, and strengthen international cooperation for water security. In recent years, climate change, glacier retreat, shifting precipitation patterns, and rapid population growth have intensified water scarcity and water quality pressures—making scientifically grounded water governance and innovation more urgent than ever.
Within the framework of TashkentWaterWeek, TIIAME NRU organizes World Water Day 2026 as a multi-format international platform that brings together academia, industry, and young innovators. The program is designed not only as a scientific conference, but as an integrated ecosystem for knowledge exchange, student excellence, and innovation-to-impact solutions.
A scientific and professional forum for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and international partners to present evidence-based research, share best practices, and discuss practical solutions for resilient water systems. Key themes include water resources management, hydraulic engineering, land reclamation, water–ecology–climate interactions, digital technologies (GIS, modeling, smart water), and governance.
An interdisciplinary intellectual competition that strengthens students' theoretical knowledge, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in water-related fields. The Olympiad is conducted in an individual format through a staged process (online test, interview, and final case-based task), ensuring transparent and merit-based evaluation.
A competition focused on identifying and supporting practical, market-oriented, and innovative startup ideas for water management, saving, treatment, monitoring, and digitalization. Participants may join individually or in teams (2–5 members) and progress through idea submission, MVP/technical concept development, and a final pitch (Demo Day) evaluated by experts, mentors, and industry partners.
TIIAME NRU's historical mission is deeply connected to the water sector. Established to train engineering professionals in irrigation, drainage (melioration), and water management, the university continues to serve as a key national and regional hub for water education, research, and applied innovation. For this reason, World Water Day events have become a strong annual tradition at TIIAME NRU—now expanded into a comprehensive international program under TashkentWaterWeek.
Join us in building a sustainable water future
Each year, the central element of these initiatives is a scientific and practical conference, where participants discuss water resources management, water-saving technologies, climate-risk adaptation, environmental sustainability, and innovative solutions. The programme continues with competitions, olympiads, panel discussions, technology exhibitions, and youth-led initiatives.
The World Water Day initiatives at TIIAME NRU will continue on an even larger scale and with broader coverage. The event will feature an International Scientific and Practical Conference and International Olympiads.
Date: 25–26 March 2026 | Venue: TIIAME NRU, Tashkent
The 2026 programme will emphasize international networking, knowledge exchange, and support for youth-led innovations in the water sector.
The International Conference dedicated to World Water Day will focus on priority areas of sustainable water management, climate resilience, innovation, and environmental protection. Participants are invited to submit and present research findings and practical results within the following themes:
The conference will feature invited speakers and experts from academia, government agencies, international organizations, and industry. They will share practical experience and research insights on water security under climate change, sustainable water resources management, digital monitoring, and innovative solutions for the water sector.
📢 Updates: The speaker lineup is currently being formed. As confirmations are received, this page will be updated regularly with new speakers, affiliations, talk titles, and the session schedule. Please check back often for the latest updates.
A selected group of keynote speakers will deliver plenary talks highlighting global and regional priorities, policy directions, and cutting-edge research in water management and environmental protection.
Invited experts will contribute to thematic sessions covering:
Expert insights on integrated water management, climate adaptation, and policy frameworks.
Innovative irrigation technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.
AI, remote sensing, and GIS applications in water sector management.
Hydraulic infrastructure, environmental protection, and youth engagement.
The International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to World Water Day will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at TIIAME NRU.
Address: 39 Kori Niyazov Street, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan
Format: Hybrid (offline and online)
Venue: TIIAME-NRU Campus
The main sessions will take place on the TIIAME NRU campus. Registered participants will receive detailed information about the conference halls, registration desk, and on-site navigation in advance.
Participants who choose the online format will receive access links and technical instructions before the event. Selected sessions may be streamed live.
TIIAME NRU is located in central Tashkent and is accessible by public transport and taxi services. Further guidance (maps, entrances, and parking information) will be published closer to the event date.
March 25-26, 2026
Note: This agenda is preliminary and may be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.
| Time | Session / Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:00 | Registration of participants | Refreshing coffee/tea |
| 10:00–10:50 | Opening Ceremony | Welcome remarks; greetings from partners; group photo |
| 10:50–11:10 | Coffee break & networking | — |
| 11:10–12:35 | Plenary Session I (Keynote presentations) | Moderator introduction; Keynote 1; Keynote 2; Q&A |
| 12:35–13:30 | Lunch break | — |
| 13:30–15:00 | Thematic Session I | Success & Challenges / Practice & Case Studies |
| 15:00–16:00 | Poster Session / Tech Exhibition | Afternoon coffee; networking |
| 16:00–17:30 | Panel / Roundtable Discussion | Policy–Science–Practice |
| 17:30–18:00 | Wrap-up of Day 1 | — |
| Time | Session / Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00–11:20 | Parallel Sessions block 1 | 4 tracks run in parallel |
| 11:20–11:40 | Coffee break | — |
| 11:40–13:10 | Parallel Sessions block 2 | Sessions 1–4 continue |
| 13:10–14:10 | Lunch break | — |
| 14:20–15:20 | Parallel Sessions (continued) | Presentation time: 15 min + 5 min Q&A |
| 15:40–16:00 | Coffee break | — |
| 16:00–17:30 | Closing Plenary Session | Section summaries & recommendations |
| 17:30–18:00 | Awards Ceremony & Final Closing | Best Paper / Best Poster + Olympiad winners' awards; group photo |
Olympiad note: Olympiad rounds are conducted before March 25 (online/offline). On March 26, only the awards ceremony will be held.
Please refer to the detailed Conference Program section above for the full agenda.
Connect with leading researchers, practitioners, and specialists in water resources management from around the world.
Present your innovative research and gain valuable feedback from the international scientific community.
Participate either in-person in Tashkent or join online from anywhere in the world.
Engage in competitive academic challenges and showcase your expertise in water-related fields.
Important Deadline: 20 February 2026
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Register NowIn order to organize World Water Day at a high international level within the framework of TashkentWaterWeek, TIIAME NRU announces the organization of the "World Water Olympiad 2026" International Student Olympiad.
The Olympiad is an interdisciplinary international intellectual competition aimed at enhancing students' theoretical knowledge, analytical thinking skills, and innovative approaches in the fields of water resources management, protection, and efficient utilization.
Water resources management and planning
Hydraulic structures and irrigation systems
Land reclamation and efficient water use
Water and ecology, climate change issues
Water and energy integration
GIS, modeling, and Smart Water solutions
Water resources economics and governance
Undergraduate and master's degree students studying at higher education institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan and foreign countries are eligible to participate.
The Olympiad is conducted exclusively in an individual format; team participation is not allowed.
30 questions, maximum 30 points
Theoretical and analytical Q&A session with the Evaluation Committee
Analysis of a problem situation or case study
Each stage is evaluated separately, and the top 10 participants with the highest scores advance to the final stage.
Participants are assessed based on:
Awards:
Uzbek • Russian • English
Register for the Olympiad:
Register NowWithin the framework of TashkentWaterWeek, and with the aim of organizing World Water Day at a high international level, TIIAME NRU, in cooperation with international and local partners, announces the "Smart Water Solutions" Startup Competition.
The primary objective of the competition is to identify and support practical, market-oriented, and innovative startup solutions in the fields of water resources management, water saving, water treatment, monitoring, and digitalization.
The competition is open to students, master's and doctoral candidates, young researchers, and startup teams from higher education institutions in Uzbekistan and abroad.
Participants may compete individually or as teams of 2 to 5 members.
IoT technologies, sensors, real-time monitoring systems
Innovative solutions for efficient water use
Artificial intelligence, analytics, and digital modeling
Water treatment and reuse technologies
Environmental sustainability and climate solutions
Participants submit a written description (1–2 pages) of their startup idea and the problem it addresses. A finished product or prototype is not required at this stage. Based on the evaluation results, the most promising projects are shortlisted for Stage 2.
Participants present either a minimum viable product demonstrating the practical feasibility of the idea or a technical concept, such as a scheme, algorithm, model, or demo materials. Teams with the highest scores advance to the final stage.
Finalist teams present their projects in an open pitch session before the jury, sponsors, and partners:
Projects are evaluated using a 100-point scoring system. Evaluation criteria include:
In the case of tied scores, priority is given to innovation, implementation potential, and the business model.
First, second, and third place winners will be determined in each track. Winners will receive:
Water sector specialists, startup mentors, investors, and industry representatives will be involved in the competition process. Mentors will provide finalists with guidance on pitching, business modeling, and technical development.
The intellectual property rights of all submitted projects remain with the participants. The organizing committee may use project materials solely for informational and promotional purposes.
Working Languages: Uzbek • Russian • English
Register for the Startup Competition:
Register NowEach year, TIIAME NRU organizes World Water Day events featuring scientific conferences, competitions, olympiads, panel discussions, technology exhibitions, and youth-led initiatives.
TIIAME NRU organized a World Water Day week featuring educational outreach activities and competitions. Events included a team quiz on glacier protection ("What can young people do to protect glaciers?"), social videos/animations encouraging water conservation, posters and photo works, and a technology exhibition on innovations in water sector development. Winners were recognized with valuable prizes and monetary awards.
Activities emphasized the vital importance of water and the growing risks related to global warming, glacier retreat, environmental pollution, and water scarcity. Students participated in multiple competition formats (videos, quizzes, essays, and innovation showcases). A dedicated roundtable discussion addressed improving irrigation water-use efficiency, expanding water-saving methods such as drip irrigation, and using alternative water sources responsibly. The programme included a presentation of an underground drip irrigation system developed by "ECOSUV."
World Water Day was widely celebrated with the participation of university leadership, sector representatives, and international partners. Activities included a scientific essay competition, youth debate ("What can young people do?"), creative videos promoting water conservation, poster/photo submissions, and a technology exhibition focused on innovative ideas and solutions. Active participants and winners received various awards and prizes.
Activities focused on rational water resource management and the pressing challenge of water scarcity. A key feature was the organization of competitions involving students from universities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with winners receiving prizes such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other awards.
This year's event will be even bigger with international participation and groundbreaking innovations in water resources management.
For questions and inquiries, please contact the Organizing Committee:
+998 93 398 99 11
39 Kori Niyazov Street,
Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan
(TIIAME NRU)
Join us in shaping the future of water resources management