Central Asian States Plan Syr Darya Water Distribution
Central Asian states have initiated advance planning for the distribution of transboundary water resources for the summer of 2026. The heads of relevant ministries from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan met to coordinate the schedule of water releases from the Bakhri Tochik reservoir for June–August. This hydroelectric facility in Tajikistan plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Syr Darya river and ensuring an adequate water supply for downstream agricultural lands.
The primary focus of the negotiations was the preparation for the upcoming vegetation season, when agricultural demand for water reaches its peak. The volume of water discharged from the reservoir directly determines the water levels in the interstate Dostyk canal. This specific artery delivers water to the fields of the Maktaaral and Zhetysay districts in the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan. These territories represent a zone of intensive farming, where even the slightest moisture deficit can lead to crop failure and severe economic losses for farmers.
The discussions involved not only the heads of the water ministries but also the energy ministers of the three nations. Alongside the head of the Kazakh water department, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, the consultations included the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Daler Juma, as well as the Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Khamraev, and the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov. The involvement of the energy sector is necessitated by the operational specifics of the hydroelectric facility. Its management requires a continuous balance between generating electricity for the Tajik power grid and accumulating water for summer land irrigation in the neighboring republics.
Following the initial round of talks, the parties exchanged proposals regarding the operational schedule of the reservoir, but a final protocol remains unsigned as participants must still agree on specific technical parameters. Multilateral coordination remains the only reliable mechanism for maintaining a stable situation in the Syr Darya basin. “For us, it is extremely important that the adopted decisions take into account the interests of all parties,” Nurzhigitov emphasized – noting the readiness of Astana to continue the dialogue on equitable access to transboundary rivers.
