Access to safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health and sustainable development. Recognizing this, the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is supporting the “Project for Improvement of Water Supply Systems in Jomi District, Khatlon Region”, aiming to improve the daily lives of more than 50,000 residents of Jomi town and surrounding villages.

This Grant Aid project, with 2,095,000,000 Japanese yen (an approximate value of 14 million USD), is designed to enhance access to 24-hour safe water, reduce the burden of water collection on families particularly for women and children, improve hygiene and sanitation, and contribute to better living conditions, health outcomes and socio-economic opportunities in the region. The project is being implemented in close partnership with the State Unitary Enterprise “Khojagii Manziliyu-Kommunali” (SUE KMK) and relevant local authorities.

JICA has also launched technical support for the Vodokanal of Abdurahmoni-Jomi District this year. This technical cooperation project has introduced a metered tariff system, which helps reduce the wastage of clean and safely managed water. It is important to recognize that the metered tariff system also reduces energy consumption, which alleviates the financial burden on Vodokanal. This, in turn, enhances Vodokanal’s water supply services for users and creates an environmentally friendly water supply system that addresses climate change in Tajikistan.

Mr. Amirkhon Qurbonzoda, First Deputy Governor of Khatlon Province said: “The enhancement of water supply services represents a significant step forward for our region’s development. This occasion underscores the strong commitment to deepening cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan, and highlights water resource management as a key pillar of our bilateral partnership. On behalf of the people and the Government of Tajikistan, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the people and the Government of Japan for their generous support and continued friendship. Your contribution is not only improving lives today but also laying the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous future for our nation.

Ms. Keiko Furuta, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, stated: “Our collaboration aligns closely with Tajikistan’s international initiatives on water-related issues, and Japan fully supports the country’s leadership in addressing global water challenges. This partnership will not only advance sustainable development goals but also further strengthen the enduring friendship between Japan and Tajikistan.”

Mr. Seiju Imai, Chief Representative of the JICA Tajikistan Office, commented: “It is a great honor for JICA to implement this project, which will benefit over 50,000 residents by reducing the burden of water collection, improving health and sanitation, and ultimately building a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for the people of this region.”

This project builds on Japan’s decades-long cooperation with Tajikistan, particularly in the water sector, which is essential for health, dignity, and economic development. Through JICA, the Government of Japan has supported numerous initiatives in sending Tajik engineers to training courses in Japan and dispatching Japanese civil engineering experts in Tajikistan, along with the five past projects, to improve rural and urban water supply, enhance service delivery, and strengthen institutional capacity. Together with the Government of Tajikistan, the Government of Japan, through JICA, will continue working to ensure that clean and safe water reaches more people across the country, supporting Tajikistan’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All. This Project is a concrete manifestation of the Japanese Government’s commitment to the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, which is led by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Nearly 50 million USD of the JICA’s support to water sector in Tajikistan since 2007

Since 1993, JICA has stood as a dedicated partner to Tajikistan, placing water supply at the forefront of its development agenda. With the establishment of its office in Tajikistan in 2006, JICA has implemented a comprehensive portfolio of projects. 5,680,000,000 JPY (approximately 39 million USD) in Grant Aid Projects has been mobilized for the upgrading of water supply infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas such as the Khatlon Region. Recognizing that sustainable development depends on human capital, JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Programs have equipped hundreds of Tajik professionals with critical skills in water management, engineering, and water quality monitoring—strengthening the country’s capacity to manage its vital water resources. Besides, more than 1,320,000,000 JPY (approximately 9 million USD) has been invested through Technical Cooperation Projects to enhance human resource capacity and water service management. These continued efforts have improved access to safe drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people, reducing health risks and fostering sustainable community engagement in Tajikistan.