During the 88th meeting of the Interstate Coordinating Water Management Commission of Central Asia (ICWC) in Dushanbe, water authorities from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan discussed the distribution of transboundary water resources and the non-irrigation period in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins.

As part of the agreement, the allocated 11 billion cubic meters of water will be directed to the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan region. This volume includes 1.6 billion cubic meters designated for the Aral Sea, helping to sustain ecosystems and prepare for the upcoming irrigation season.

Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov emphasized that water supply management differs across Kazakhstan’s regions:

• Unlike the north and west, which rely on floodwaters, the south requires strategic water diplomacy to secure irrigation resources during dry summers.
• The consistent water supply to the southern regions in 2024 was achieved through successful negotiations with Central Asian partners.
• The ministry prioritizes the joint protection and equitable distribution of transboundary water bodies.

Additionally, Kazakhstan aims to digitize all its water resources by the end of 2025, ensuring better monitoring and efficient management.