Khujand, 16 September 2026
The Second Basin Forum of Groundwater Drilling Industry brought together 35 representatives of government institutions, private drilling companies, development partners and sector specialists in Khujand to discuss practical steps for strengthening technical capacity and responsible drilling practices.
The forum was organized by Equidev under the Groundwater Management Project (GWMP), with participation from the Sughd Regional Executive Authority and other relevant institutions.
Technical discussions began with the findings of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA), followed by the presentation of a draft training programme for groundwater drilling companies, prepared based on the identified needs. Participants discussed the proposed programme and provided initial feedback on priority areas for strengthening technical knowledge and practical skills.
Another key topic was the draft Charter, Code of Practice and Code of Professional Conduct for the Groundwater Drilling Sector in Sughd Region, Tajikistan. The documents were presented as a voluntary framework to promote responsible, technically sound and professional drilling practices. It was agreed that the drafts, together with the training programme, would be shared with relevant stakeholders and drilling companies for further review and feedback before finalization.
“This forum is an important opportunity to move from discussing challenges to practical action. The draft training programme and the voluntary framework for responsible and professional groundwater drilling practices provide a basis for further consultation with drilling companies and relevant stakeholders. Their feedback will help ensure that these initiatives respond to the needs and realities of the sector,” said Muhammadjon Kobuliev, GWMP Project Officer coordinating the Policy and Legal Framework Component at Helvetas.
Participants also discussed the proposed online directory of groundwater drilling companies, intended to improve access to information about companies operating in the sector and increase their visibility. The objectives and programme of the planned knowledge-sharing visit to Uzbekistan were also presented, generating strong interest among drilling companies as an opportunity to exchange experience and learn from relevant practices in the neighbouring country.
The Second Basin Forum marked another step in translating sector dialogue into practical follow-up through capacity development, responsible drilling practices and continued consultation with stakeholders in Sughd’s groundwater drilling sector.
The Groundwater Management Project (GWMP) is funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Helvetas in collaboration with local and international partners, including Equidev.
