Central Asian Nations Negotiate Joint Kambarata-1 Hydropower Project

The third round of trilateral negotiations between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan regarding the draft agreement for the Kambarata-1 Hydroelectric Power Plant project on the Naryn River has concluded in Almaty. The meetings, held from September 21–23, 2026, continued the diplomatic dialogue concerning the joint construction and management of one of the largest hydropower facilities in Central Asia.

Delegations comprising representatives from the ministries of energy, foreign affairs, and water resources discussed management mechanisms for the future plant, potential funding sources, and the distribution of obligations among the participating states. The Kazakh negotiating team was led by First Vice-Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurlan Aldamzharov, with the participation of Zhalgas Shogelbaev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for State Energy Supervision and Control. Observers from the World Bank were present to provide consultative support to the parties throughout the proceedings.

Following three days of discussions, officials reported a convergence of positions on several disputed points, although a final version of the document has not yet been finalized. The parties agreed to continue consultations to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for all three republics. This stage follows previous negotiation rounds held in Bishkek in late March and in Tashkent in April of this year.

The development of the large-scale hydropower station in Kyrgyzstan carries significant economic and ecological implications for downstream states. Joint implementation of the Kambarata-1 project is intended to facilitate the coordination of water discharge regimes, which is essential for maintaining the stability of the agricultural sectors in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the irrigation season and for preventing flooding during the winter months.