The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a report titled “The Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions”, analyzing the water resources of the transboundary Irtysh River basin, shared by China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The report highlights growing water demand in all three countries and proposes practical solutions to address cross-border challenges.
Strategic Importance of the Irtysh River
The Irtysh River, the world’s longest transboundary tributary, stretches 4,248 km and, together with the Ob River, forms Russia’s longest waterway, the second longest in Asia and the seventh longest globally. Flowing from China through Kazakhstan into Russia, the river is crucial for all three countries, necessitating strategic cooperation in its management.
The Irtysh River Basin; image: eabr.org
Key Challenges in Each Country
China
In China, the upper Irtysh River is essential for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where the population has surged from 15.2 million in 1990 to 25.87 million in 2022. Rapid regional development has made water stress a pressing issue. Research forecasts that annual water withdrawals from the Irtysh could more than triple, from the current 1.5 – 2.0 km³ to 7 km³, out of an average natural flow of 8.3 km³.
Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, the Irtysh and its tributaries support 30% of the population and contribute 45% of the country’s total agricultural output. The Irtysh HPP Cascade accounts for 10% of Kazakhstan’s electricity generation and 80% of its hydropower capacity. Increased water withdrawals by China pose significant risks to Kazakhstan’s water security.
Russia
For Russia, upstream water policies in China and Kazakhstan are major concerns. Excessive Chinese withdrawals could reduce Kazakhstan’s downstream flow, impacting Omsk and the surrounding Omsk Municipal District. Changes in water availability and quality over the next decade present serious socio-economic challenges for the region.
Key Recommendations from the Report
The EDB report outlines four major recommendations for managing transboundary water challenges:
Expanding Bilateral and Trilateral Cooperation
The report urges stronger water agreements between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as between Kazakhstan and China, incorporating international water management principles. Recommended cooperation areas include:
- Ensuring international navigation on the Irtysh-Ob River system
- Controlling water pollution
- Regulating safe water usage
- Improving efficiency during floods, droughts, and low-water periods
This groundwork would help establish a future trilateral water management agreement between the three countries.
Strengthening Water Management Infrastructure
The report calls for soft infrastructure development, such as:
- Creating an interstate river flow monitoring system with open data access
- Developing joint training programs for water management specialists
- Expanding interdisciplinary water research involving experts from all three nations
Coordinating Hydraulic Infrastructure Operations
The report stresses the importance of joint management of existing and future hydropower plants, dams, reservoirs, and irrigation canals to ensure stable water supplies without harming other nations’ resources. Priority projects include:
- Shulbinsk HPP (Phase 2) in Kazakhstan
- Semipalatinsk HPP in Kazakhstan
- Modernization of the Satpayev Irtysh-Karaganda Canal in Kazakhstan
- Construction of the Krasnogorsk hydro-system near Omsk, Russia
Developing a Multimodal Transport Corridor
The report proposes a multimodal transport corridor linking Russia, Kazakhstan, and China, utilizing the Irtysh-Ob waterway to connect:
- The Northern Sea Route (Arctic shipping lane)
- The Silk Road (Eurasian trade route)
This corridor would enhance global connectivity, providing landlocked Central Asian nations and northwestern China with access to Russian inland regions and Arctic ports.
The report underscores the urgent need for coordinated water management to balance economic growth, environmental sustainability, and regional stability. With China’s rising water demand, Kazakhstan’s agricultural dependence, and Russia’s downstream concerns, enhanced bilateral and trilateral cooperation is essential for securing the future of the Irtysh River Basin.
