Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed on joint water resources management
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have signed an intergovernmental agreement on joint management and use of transboundary water bodies. The document was signed within the framework of the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Tashkent, where the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of the two countries was held. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and the Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamraev.
The new agreement defines the agreed mechanisms of interaction on common rivers and canals, which play a key role in the water supply of the population and agricultural sectors of both republics. The parties agreed to coordinate the modes of operation of water facilities of interstate importance, conduct regular joint surveys of their condition and take preventive measures to ensure reliable operation of the infrastructure and prevent emergencies.
One of the key points of the agreements was the creation of a joint automated system for recording water supply and intake at transboundary sites. It is assumed that the system will work in the mode of operational data exchange, which will strengthen control over the use of water resources and will contribute to building trust between the relevant departments of the two states.
The document also covers the issues of modernization and repair of existing water infrastructure aimed at reducing water losses. The parties intend to introduce water-saving technologies and work together to improve the reclamation status of irrigated lands. In addition, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will coordinate efforts to prevent and mitigate the effects of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.
A special Intergovernmental Kazakh-Uzbek commission will be established for the practical implementation of the agreement. Its tasks will include coordinating the implementation of agreements, making operational decisions on the operation of joint water facilities and forming working groups in specific areas. Meetings of the commission are planned to be held twice a year alternately on the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
As the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov noted, the signed document was the result of many years of joint work that has been conducted since 2017. According to him, this is an “event of historical significance” that strengthens trust between the countries, increases the level of water security of the border regions and contributes to the development of agriculture. The Minister stressed that the agreement is based on existing international obligations, including the agreements of the Central Asian countries of 1992 and the UN convention, and is “a significant contribution to the development of water diplomacy in Central Asia.”
Original (in Russian): Казахстан и Узбекистан договорились о совместном управлении водными ресурсами
