Locations
Inauguration ceremony of newly reconstructed water distribution station
5 April 2025, Nukus, Karakalpakstan – Today marked a new milestone in improving drinking water access and sanitation in Karakalpakstan, with the inauguration of two significant infrastructure projects: a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility at the Rehabilitation Center in Akmangit community and a fully reconstructed water distribution station in the Amudarya community.
The Rehabilitation Center, which annually serves around 3,500 individuals with disabilities from across Karakalpakstan, previously faced substantial challenges in managing wastewater. The traditional method involved the use of sewage trucks, posing logistical difficulties and considerable environmental risks. To address this, UNDP, in collaboration with local authorities and funding from the Government of Japan, introduced an innovative decentralized Japanese wastewater treatment system "Jokhasou," with a daily capacity of 20 m³. This system treats wastewater on-site, enabling reuse for technical and economic purposes, dramatically reducing environmental pollution.
Staff of Rehabilitation Center of Karakalpakstan
The inauguration was attended by Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, who happened to be on an official visit to Karakalpakstan for the Aral Culture Summit and important meetings with partners.
“I discussed with partners about the importance of community engagement as we face global warming, ecological catastrophe, climate effects, and particularly water shortages. Your community in this region is demonstrating an excellent example of how new technologies like this can save significant amounts of water, and therefore, many people's lives”, said Akiko Fujii at the inauguration ceremony.
Opening speech of Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan
In the Amudarya community of Khodjeyli district, nearly a thousand residents, including 514 women, celebrated the inauguration of their newly reconstructed water distribution station. Prior to the reconstruction, residents struggled with a non-functional facility unable to meet the community’s growing water demands. The project included installing a new 4,900-meter water supply pipeline connecting every household directly to clean drinking water, along with modern pumping equipment capable of delivering 48 m³/hour, ensuring consistent water supply for the expanding community.
Khokim of Khodjeyli district Jenis Ermashev also shared his thoughts on the importance of community engagement in tackling global challenges: "Providing water to the most remote areas has always been one of our top priorities. So, today we are proud to note that Khodjeyli district is provided with clean drinking water".
Gulistan Reimova, a resident of the Amudarya community, expressed her delight: "For a long time our water facility has been in need of renovation. Now we are happy to see this renovation completed and our community can enjoy access to clean drinking water".
These initiatives represent a vital step forward in improving daily life, promoting community well-being, and protecting the environment in both Akmangit and Amudarya. The inauguration ceremonies brought together representatives of local government, international partners, and community members, highlighting the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve sustainable environmental and public health improvements.
About the Project: "The Project for Supporting Self-reliance through Climate-resilient Agriculture in the Aral Sea Region" (2023-2025), funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP, aims to address human security challenges in Karakalpakstan’s vulnerable communities. This initiative aligns closely with Uzbekistan’s national policies and strategies for addressing the environmental and social impacts of the Aral Sea crisis.
