Abu Dhabi-Led Consortium And Uzbekistan To Develop Major Wastewater Plant

A consortium involving Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions Company (SWS), Marubeni Corporation, and Suez has entered into a joint development agreement with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, and Uzsuvtaminot JSC. This collaboration aims to develop a wastewater treatment plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The project will produce 1.5 million cubic metres of treated water daily, making it the largest in Uzbekistan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Valued at over US$1 billion, this initiative highlights the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Uzbekistan, fostering economic growth in Tashkent and nearby regions.

The agreement was signed in Tashkent by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan; Ahmed Al Shamsi, Managing Director and CEO of SWS Holding; Akhmad Suvankulov, Chairman of the Board at Uzsuvtaminot; Kazuaki Shibuya from Marubeni; and Silvere Delaunay from Suez. The construction is set to begin in 2026, with full operations expected by 2030.

Upon completion, the facility will serve around three million people in Tashkent and surrounding cities. It will replace two existing wastewater treatment plants in Salar and Bektimir. The consortium will handle development, financing, engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance for 25 years. Uzsuvtaminot JSC will manage the new trunk sewer lines once they are operational.

Laziz Kudratov remarked that this agreement builds on a previously signed Memorandum of Agreement. He stated: "This agreement follows the earlier signed Memorandum of Agreement, demonstrating the ongoing economic collaboration between the UAE and Uzbekistan, forging strong partnerships between entities and organisations, and developing crucial infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for the people in Tashkent and by extension the CIS region. This project further exemplifies the shared commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address priorities around Clean Water and Sanitation; Infrastructure; and Sustainable Cities and Communities."

Ahmed Al Shamsi highlighted SWS’s dedication to sustainable water solutions: "Signing the joint development agreement with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Uzsunvtaminot underscores the mutual interest and commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UAE and Uzbekistan. The partnership demonstrates SWS’ unwavering commitment to providing sustainable water solutions at scale, and reaffirms our global expertise in developing, operating and managing large-scale wastewater treatment facilities efficiently and effectively. We look forward to continuing the close collaboration with our partners as we actively support the UAE’s contribution to enhancing socio-economic cooperation with Uzbekistan, enabling the country to achieve long-term sustainable water security."

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Akhmad Suvankulov added: "Our partnership with SWS underscores our mutual commitment to deepening collaboration between the UAE and Uzbekistan, nurturing stronger ties and common strategic objectives to ensure a secure and sustainable environmental solution. This project contributes to the realisation of Uzbekistan's economic development ambitions, building a prosperous future for Tashkent's people from our combined experiences."

The project underscores a shared commitment to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water access, infrastructure improvement, and sustainable urban development. It also aims to enhance socio-economic cooperation between both nations while ensuring long-term water security for Uzbekistan.

This initiative not only supports economic progress but also aims at improving living standards through better infrastructure. The collaboration reflects a significant step towards sustainable development goals while fostering stronger ties between UAE and Uzbekistan.

With inputs from WAM