Kyrgyzstan Debates Water Compensation from Neighboring States
A discussion on the distribution of water resources and the financing of hydraulic infrastructure took place in the Committee on Agrarian Policy and Water Resources of Kyrgyzstan’s national parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh. The debate centered on the financial terms of water use by neighboring countries.
Deputy Umbetaly Kydyraliev stated that a significant portion of the water accumulated in the nation’s hydroelectric plants and reservoirs is used by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He noted that approximately 80 percent of the water flows to these countries, while the financial burden of maintaining the facilities and servicing loans–such as a World Bank credit for modernizing the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant–falls on Kyrgyzstan. Kydyraliev called for a review of the situation, suggesting that neighboring states should compensate Kyrgyzstan for dam repairs and infrastructure upkeep, citing international water-sharing agreements as a precedent.
In response, Bakyt Torobaev, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, provided clarification. He stated the World Bank loan was used to increase the Toktogul plant’s capacity from 1,200 to 1,440 megawatts. Torobaev added that mechanisms for neighbors to participate in maintenance costs already exist, highlighting that Uzbekistan fully covers expenditures for reservoirs in the Ala-Buka district.
According to Torobaev, neighboring countries acknowledge their responsibility and are prepared to participate in repair work. He mentioned that Kazakhstan would be willing to assist with repairs at the Kirov reservoir if necessary. Torobaev also announced the official government position, conveying a directive from President Sadyr Japarov that Kyrgyzstan is to conduct repairs of its hydraulic structures using its own resources without requesting funds from partners.
Kyrgyzstan intends to independently ensure the technical serviceability of its strategic facilities. The government remains open to voluntary participation or financing from partner countries in joint projects, as such cooperation is permitted under existing interstate agreements.
