The event was attended by Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection  and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, Ambassador of Switzerland  to Uzbekistan Konstantin Obolensky, representatives of ministries and agencies, international organizations and financial institutions, the scientific community  and the media.

In his opening remarks, A. Abdukhakimov highlighted the symbolic significance of the project launch, especially in the "Year of Environmental Protection and the "Green" Economy", announced at the initiative of the head of state:
"Amid climate change and growing demand for water resources, the implementation of an integrated water resource management project in the Zarafshan River Basin is of particular importance. The project will not only optimize water use but also create a long-term foundation for climate adaptation in five regions of the country that depend on Zarafshan's water resources by introducing new technologies, sharing information and developing local communities' skills."

The project, implemented by Caritas Switzerland (CACH) in partnership with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) until 2027 in the Zarafshan River Basin—covering Samarkand, Jizzakh, Navoi, Bukhara, and Kashkadarya regions—aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of the population through climate-resilient and integrated water resource management.

"By strengthening data collection and management systems, promoting innovative and cost-effective monitoring devices, and leveraging Swiss expertise in hydrology, we aim to equip farmers and policymakers with the tools they need to make informed decisions", said K. Obolensky.

The initiative also integrates international expertise, including contributions from MeteoSwiss and Hydrosolutions GmbH, to support sustainable water management and strengthen regional cooperation for climate resilience.

At the conclusion of the event, relevant agreements were signed, laying the groundwork for project implementation. The initiative is expected to develop and introduce modern water resource management methods, improving accessibility and efficiency amid climate change.

Among the expected project outcomes are:
Installation of over 50 climate monitoring stations to enhance data flow and irrigation planning, automation of more than 30 groundwater monitoring wells, training of over 100 farmers and agricultural clusters in efficient water resource use, implementation of the "Green School" concept in Zarafshan schools, creation of a regional platform for data exchange on water and weather and more.