Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Agree Water Use Regime

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting of the heads of water and energy agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan has concluded in Tashkent, where the parties agreed on water management parameters for the upcoming period, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy.

The key outcome of the talks was the signing of a trilateral protocol. The document sets out agreed volumes and a schedule for water releases from the Toktogul Reservoir for the next two months.

Kazakhstan was represented at the negotiations by Minister of Energy Erlan Akkenzhenov and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. Kyrgyzstan was represented by Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev. Uzbekistan was represented by Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov and Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamraev.

The main focus of the discussions was ensuring stable water supply to southern regions during the vegetation period.

The agreed release parameters are intended to reduce uncertainty for agriculture at the start of the irrigation season.

The signed protocol provides for adherence to water discharge schedules from the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant. This is expected to ensure predictable conditions for farmers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during irrigation works.

Further coordination of water release schedules will continue. The next meeting of the agency heads is scheduled for mid-June in Bishkek, where the parties plan to agree on parameters for July, August, and September.

It was separately noted that the interstate water and energy balance mechanism continues to operate under mutual agreements.