Kazakhstan to Receive 11 Billion Cubic Meters of Water This Spring Following Agreements with Central Asian Nations
Dushanbe recently hosted the 88th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of Central Asia, where key water management officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan gathered to discuss crucial regional water distribution issues.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the discussions focused on water flow management during the inter-irrigation period in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. As a result of the negotiations, Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of water this spring.
This planned water inflow will be directed to the Shardara Reservoir in the Turkestan region via the Syr Darya River. Of this amount, 1.6 billion cubic meters will be allocated to the Aral Sea, an essential measure for maintaining ecological balance in the region.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzigitov, emphasized the importance of these agreements, noting the unique challenges faced by Kazakhstan’s southern regions. Unlike the western and northern parts of the country, where floods are common, the south experiences a significant demand for irrigation water during the summer months.
“Ensuring a stable water supply in the south requires a different approach. Water diplomacy is a top priority for us, and we have developed strong cooperation with our Central Asian neighbors. Thanks to these efforts, we managed to provide uninterrupted water supply to the southern regions last year. All issues related to water distribution and the protection of transboundary water resources are being addressed jointly with our regional partners,” Nurzigitov stated.
