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Water

Turkmenistan Has World’s Highest Freshwater Withdrawal Per Capita

Turkmenistan has recorded the world’s highest annual freshwater withdrawal per capita, a ranking that points to the heavy strain placed on water resources by irrigated agriculture, particularly cotton production, according to international data based on statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank. The country’s position at the top of the ranking is driven not by household consumption, but by the massive use of water in agriculture, particularly in the cotton sector. The ranking is therefore less a measure of individual water use than an indicator of structural dependence on irrigation in an extremely arid country. According to the data, more than 3,631 cubic meters of freshwater are withdrawn annually for every resident of Turkmenistan. The calculations include not only domestic water usage, but also volumes consumed by agriculture, industry, and municipal infrastructure. The figure reflects Turkmenistan’s dependence on large-scale irrigation systems established during the Soviet period to support cotton production. Vast amounts of water are diverted from the Amu Darya River to agricultural land in one of the world’s driest climates. Researchers note that these irrigation projects were among the major causes of the environmental catastrophe that devastated the Aral Sea. Agriculture remains the world’s largest consumer of freshwater. According to international estimates, the agricultural sector accounts for roughly 70% of global freshwater use. As a result, the highest positions in the ranking are largely occupied by countries with arid climates and extensive irrigated farming systems. The top 15 countries also include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. At the opposite end of the ranking are countries with the world’s lowest levels of freshwater withdrawal per capita. These include the Democratic Republic of Congo, with just seven cubic meters per person annually, as well as Equatorial Guinea and the Maldives, with 11 cubic meters each. Climate change is already increasing pressure on water resources across many regions of the world. Droughts, rising temperatures, and growing agricultural demand are making efficient water management an increasingly urgent issue, including for the countries of Central Asia. For Central Asia, the figures underline a familiar problem: water use remains shaped by Soviet-era irrigation systems, while climate change is making the region’s rivers, reservoirs, and agricultural systems more vulnerable.

Water Crisis

Tajikistan and UN to Host Water Crisis Conference in Dushanbe

Tajikistan and the United Nations will co-host the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development " 2018-2028 next week, as Central Asia and other regions face increasing water scarcity because of climate change, higher consumption, and other factors. Delegates to the May 25-28 water conference in Dushanbe include government officials, scientists, executives from financial institutions and civil society members from around the world. The goal of creating “sustainable” water resources is especially critical in Central Asia, where there is growing concern that shortages could threaten public health and stir tension between upstream and downstream countries. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, for example, are in mountainous regions and have relatively significant water resources that they share with neighboring countries. However, the resources are under strain. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, in turn, rely on the cross-border water supply that flows downstream. Central Asian governments have begun joint projects on water infrastructure to avoid the kind of tensions that emerged in the past. The Dushanbe conference is another step in that process, even though the event is global in perspective. Tajik diplomats have held briefings in Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and other countries to promote the conference, describing Tajikistan as a leader in “water diplomacy” as the world faces a water crisis that is increasingly evident in floods, droughts, pollution and melting glaciers. Dushanbe has already hosted several international conferences on water. Saidjon Shafizoda, spokesman for Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing in the Tajik capital on Wednesday that the conference can help accelerate innovation and mobilize funding for the “sustainable and inclusive” management of water, the state Khovar news agency reported. Organizers say more than 2,500 people are expected to participate.

Glacier Melt

Pamir Glaciers Rapidly Melting Even Above 5,000 Meters, Tajik Scientists Warn

Tajik scientists have conducted the country’s first direct winter field measurements of snow dynamics on a Pamir glacier since independence, with findings showing a sharp decline in snow reserves and accelerated melting even in high-altitude zones previously considered relatively stable. The expedition took place from May 6-15 on Glacier No. 457, located in the upper basin of the Nukhchashma River, also known as Tokuzbulak, a tributary of the Gunt River. The research was carried out by specialists from the Mountain Societies Research Institute at the University of Central Asia (UCA), together with the Center for Research of Glaciers of Tajikistan’s National Academy of Sciences, as part of the United Nations initiative “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034.” The scientists’ primary objective was to study the glacier’s winter mass balance by analyzing snow accumulation, density, and distribution across the glacier surface. According to the organizers, these are the first direct winter field measurements of glacier winter snow dynamics conducted in Tajikistan since the country gained independence. The work comes as glacier preservation is receiving growing international attention. The United Nations says rapid glacier melt threatens billions of people, especially those who depend on glaciers for drinking water, agriculture, and energy. Tajikistan’s glaciers are particularly important for Central Asia because they feed rivers that support downstream communities, irrigation, and hydropower. Previous glacier monitoring efforts in Tajikistan were largely limited to summer expeditions and satellite observations. Denis Samyn, senior research fellow and professor of Earth and environmental sciences at UCA, said Central Asia’s glaciers had remained insufficiently studied for decades. “Now, with support from the state and international partners, the region is gradually developing its own school of cryospheric research and a new generation of specialists,” he said. Scientists expressed particular concern over the latest monitoring results. UCA researcher Hofiz Navruzshoev said Glacier No. 457 has been monitored annually since 2020, although previous studies primarily focused on summer melting. “The 2025 observations revealed a critical situation: the glacier’s thickness decreased by more than one meter, which is a very significant indicator,” he said. According to Navruzshoev, seasonal snow cover in the glacier’s accumulation zone at elevations above 5,100 meters has virtually disappeared over the past five years. This means the glacier is no longer replenishing lost ice even in its upper accumulation areas, which traditionally served as long-term snow storage zones. That trend is significant because the accumulation zone is the part of a glacier where winter snow normally survives long enough to compact into ice. If that zone stops gaining snow, the glacier can lose mass even before lower-elevation melting is taken into account. The expedition operated under difficult high-altitude conditions, with researchers working at elevations of around 5,000 meters amid rapidly changing weather, snowfall, strong winds, and near-zero visibility. During the mission, scientists dug five snow pits at elevations ranging from 4,790 to 5,012 meters, measured snow depth and density, and collected data on glacier snow reserves. The findings add to wider scientific concern about the Pamirs. The Times of...

Water Consumption

Central Asian Countries Rank Among World’s Highest Water Consumers

Several Central Asian countries rank among the world’s highest consumers of water per person, according to data compiled by the Worldometer portal. The figures, based on statistics from UN agencies including UNESCO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), place Turkmenistan first globally, with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan also in the top ten. The figures highlight a long-standing regional challenge: heavy dependence on water-intensive agriculture combined with aging irrigation systems that lose substantial amounts of water before it reaches fields. Turkmenistan leads the global ranking with daily water consumption of 15,445 liters per person. Uzbekistan ranks fourth worldwide at 4,778 liters per capita per day, followed by Tajikistan with 4,460 liters and Kyrgyzstan with 4,153 liters. Kazakhstan recorded the lowest level among Central Asian states, at 3,397 liters per person daily, though that still places it among relatively high-consuming countries internationally. In terms of total annual water use, Uzbekistan consumes the largest volume in the region at 54.56 billion cubic meters a year. It is followed by Turkmenistan with 27.9 billion cubic meters, Kazakhstan with 22.77 billion, Tajikistan with 11.49 billion, and Kyrgyzstan with around 8 billion cubic meters. Experts say agriculture explains much of the region’s high consumption. Globally, farming accounts for about 70% of freshwater use, compared with 20% for industry and 10% for households. In Central Asia, agriculture represents more than 80% of water consumption, while up to 40% of water is estimated to be lost through deteriorating irrigation infrastructure. The problem has become increasingly significant as freshwater demand rises worldwide. According to UN estimates, freshwater withdrawals have tripled over the past 50 years, while global demand continues to grow by around 64 billion cubic meters annually because of population growth, changing consumption patterns, energy production, and biofuel development. Several Central Asian governments have begun introducing reforms aimed at reducing water losses. In Uzbekistan, authorities joined the World Bank’s Water Forward initiative and announced plans to expand water-saving technologies across 4.1 million hectares of irrigated farmland while reducing irrigation losses by 25%. Kazakhstan has also faced recurring shortages. Seasonal water restrictions are regularly introduced in southern regions, and this year the government approved consumption limits because of expected shortages during the agricultural season. The issue is closely linked to energy production in upstream countries. Studies by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate that more than 80% of electricity generation in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan comes from hydropower, creating a close link between irrigation needs and energy supply. Limited coordination over water releases and electricity generation has contributed to summer shortages in some years. The figures show the scale of the challenge for Central Asian governments seeking to reduce water losses and manage shared rivers more effectively.

World Bank

Launch of Kyrgyzstan Carbon Finance Initiative with World Bank Support

Kyrgyzstan has launched a new carbon finance initiative with support from the World Bank under the Innovative Finance for Resilient and Sustainable Energy Transition (iFIRST) program. The Kyrgyzstan carbon finance initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s energy sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project was discussed during consultations in Bishkek between Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev and World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddell. “This project opens up new opportunities for attracting climate finance while advancing reforms in Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector,” Ibrayev said. Riddell said Kyrgyzstan is taking an important step toward implementing modern climate finance mechanisms, noting that the initiative will support the country’s transition to sustainable energy and integration into international carbon markets. According to Riddell, the project is only the second initiative of its kind globally, making Kyrgyzstan one of the first countries to implement such a mechanism. The project is supported by the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), a World Bank trust fund designed to help developing countries introduce market-based carbon pricing systems and attract private investment in low-carbon technologies. TCAF uses a hybrid financing model that combines climate finance with carbon market mechanisms. Payments are made only after greenhouse gas emission reductions are independently measured and verified. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Ministry, the initiative will operate on a results-based financing model, meaning emission reductions must first be confirmed before financial compensation is released. Total funding for the project amounts to $50 million. Of that amount, $35 million represents core financing, while a further $15 million is available through optional financing mechanisms. The initiative also involves strengthening the institutional capacity of government agencies, creating a national greenhouse gas monitoring system, and establishing a national carbon unit registry. The program comes as Kyrgyzstan faces mounting environmental and energy challenges, particularly in Bishkek, which regularly ranks among the world’s most polluted cities during the winter months. Much of the capital’s air pollution is linked to the widespread use of coal for household heating, emissions from aging thermal power infrastructure, and growing vehicle traffic. Although Kyrgyzstan generates most of its electricity from hydropower, many households and businesses still rely heavily on coal and natural gas for heating during the colder seasons, especially when electricity shortages occur. Officials hope that expanding access to international climate finance will help modernize the country’s energy infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. On the international stage, the project supports Kyrgyzstan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Officials say the initiative will help accelerate reforms in Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector, strengthen the country’s climate policy framework, and expand access to international climate financing. In July 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the Concept for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the Kyrgyz Republic. The strategy outlines a phased transition toward a carbon-neutral economy, focusing on sectors including energy, transport, industry, agriculture, waste management, and forestry. Under the strategy, Kyrgyzstan has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050...

Irrigation

Kazakhstan Sets Irrigation Limits for Southern Regions and Reduces Water-Intensive Crops

Kazakhstan has introduced limits on irrigation water use in its southern regions and is reducing the cultivation of water-intensive crops as authorities seek to prevent shortages during the 2026 growing season. At a government meeting on May 12, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said reservoirs in the country’s southern regions had accumulated 26.2 billion cubic meters of water, 500 million cubic meters more than during the same period last year. Agriculture in Kazakhstan’s arid southern regions depends heavily on water collected during the spring snowmelt period, as well as water flowing from upstream Kyrgyzstan. To avoid irrigation shortages, the government established water-consumption limits for the main agricultural regions. The Turkestan region received a limit of 3.8 billion cubic meters, followed by the Kyzylorda region with 3.2 billion cubic meters, the Almaty region with 2.1 billion cubic meters, the Zhetisu region with 1.8 billion cubic meters, and the Zhambyl region with 900 million cubic meters. Authorities said all preparatory work for the irrigation season has been completed. This included mechanized cleaning of 1,840 kilometers of irrigation canals, reconstruction of 680 kilometers of irrigation networks, and repairs to 375 hydraulic facilities. To ensure stable water supplies through the canal system, 181 pumping units have been prepared, while an additional 92 pumps are expected to be purchased. Since the beginning of the year, Kazakhstan has also shifted the process of concluding water-supply contracts with farmers to an electronic format. The new digital system covers the entire water-supply cycle, including applications, contract execution, monitoring of actual water consumption, and payment processing. To date, more than 25,000 electronic contracts have been signed with farmers. “To increase transparency and strengthen operational control over water-resource management, satellite monitoring based on Earth remote sensing is being introduced across all five southern regions of the country. Since the beginning of the year, satellite monitoring has identified 39 cases of water withdrawal without contracts in the Turkestan region, where farmers illegally used approximately 790,000 cubic meters of water,” Nurzhigitov said. At the same government meeting, Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov said Kazakhstan plans to sow crops on a total area of 23.8 million hectares this year, 180,000 hectares more than in 2025. Priority is being given to more profitable crops. The area under oilseed cultivation will exceed 4 million hectares, while forage crops will cover 3.3 million hectares. Kazakhstan is also continuing efforts to diversify agricultural production. The area planted with grain crops will be reduced by 127,000 hectares. As part of water-saving measures, the government is cutting back on water-intensive crops such as rice and cotton. Rice cultivation areas have been reduced by 20,200 hectares. At the same time, the area under drip-irrigated cotton has increased by 29,800 hectares, while cotton grown using traditional irrigation methods has been reduced by 12,000 hectares.