Water - The Times Of Central Asia

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Water Agreement

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Reach Agreement on Amu Darya Water Usage

A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Water Resources visited Turkmenistan on March 13-14 to discuss bilateral cooperation on water management, Dunyo reports. Officials from both countries met in Turkmenabat to address key issues, including the maintenance and modernization of water infrastructure, flood prevention, riverbank reinforcement, and efficient water use. As part of the discussions, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached during the fourth Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental meeting on water management. They agreed to collaborate on hydrotechnical projects aimed at minimizing water losses in the Amu Darya River and optimizing resource use. The two countries also plan to conduct joint research on shared water bodies, exchange expertise on water-saving technologies and digital management systems, and enhance training programs for water management specialists. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured the Tuyamoyin hydroelectric complex, where representatives discussed potential improvements to its operations. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under an agreement signed in Dushanbe. Meanwhile, on World Rivers Day of Action, environmental groups raised concerns about growing threats to Central Asia’s rivers and lakes. Organizations such as Rivers Without Boundaries and Friends of the Earth US have called on international financial institutions to reconsider funding for hydropower projects in the region.

Water concerns reservoirs Floods

Four New Reservoirs to Be Built in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation plans to begin construction of four new reservoirs in the west and south of the country this year, Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov announced at a government meeting. Kazakhstan regularly faces two conflicting water-related challenges: the risk of spring floods inundating settlements and a summer water shortage for agricultural irrigation. To address both issues, construction of the new reservoirs will begin in 2025. The Akmola and Kalguty reservoirs will be built in the Zhambyl region in southern Kazakhstan, while the Karaozek reservoir will be located in the Kyzylorda region in the southeast. The Bolshoi Uzen reservoir will be built in the West Kazakhstan region. "The Akmola, Kalguty, and Karaozek reservoirs will ensure water supply for 22,500 hectares of irrigated crops during the growing season, while the Bolshoi Uzen reservoir will help retain flood and meltwater, preventing flooding in two settlements with a combined population of 5,000," Nurzhigitov said. In addition to the new reservoirs, the government plans to reconstruct the Ters-Ashchybulak and Karakonyz reservoirs in the Zhambyl region, as well as the Koskorgan reservoir and the Koksarai counter-regulator in the Turkestan region in 2025. As part of an irrigation infrastructure modernization program, 115 canals covering a total of 3,452 kilometers will be upgraded across six regions: Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, and Turkestan. Additionally, new structures will be built to replenish the Astana reservoir. "By the end of the year, 12 projects for the construction and reconstruction of group water pipelines will be completed, providing 153 villages, home to 423,000 people, with access to quality drinking water. At the same time, 52 settlements will be connected to a centralized water supply system," Nurzhigitov added. Flood Preparedness Concerns Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s ruling AMANAT party held a meeting of its Party Control Committee, which sharply criticized the country’s flood preparedness. According to party officials, 1,223 settlements across Kazakhstan are currently at risk of flooding. The country has 1,395 hydraulic structures designed to control water flow, but 564 of them require repairs, including 20 that are in critical condition. In the event of their failure, 536 settlements, home to more than 1.3 million people, could be at risk of severe flooding. The party emphasized that public concerns over flood preparedness remain high, with approximately 100 complaints submitted this year regarding the condition of dams, drainage channels, and other protective infrastructure. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan began releasing water from reservoirs as early as January to maximize storage capacity ahead of the flood season.

Water Irrigation Agriculture

Kazakhstan to Launch Production of 1,000 Sprinkler Irrigation Machines Per Year

Kazakhstan has begun domestic production of sprinkler irrigation machines under the SU BEREKE brand, with the ADAM Group of Companies manufacturing 30 units in 2024, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Sprinkler irrigation systems help distribute water evenly across fields, reducing consumption by 30% to 40%. This year, ADAM plans to scale up production. By April, the company will open a second plant in East Kazakhstan, increasing output to 1,000 sprinkler machines annually. The new facility is expected to reduce Kazakhstan’s dependence on imported equipment. Locally manufactured sprinklers will also be exported to neighboring Central Asian countries. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has previously criticized the slow adoption of water-saving practices in Kazakh agriculture, citing annual water losses of up to 40% in some regions. He has set a national target to introduce water-saving technologies on 150,000 hectares of land each year. To support this initiative, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture raised subsidies for farmers investing in water-saving irrigation systems from 50% to 80% in 2023. Additionally, the government increased subsidies for farmers using such technologies, covering 85% of irrigation water costs. Kazakhstan’s agricultural land spans 23.3 million hectares, of which 1.9 million hectares are irrigated, primarily in the arid southern regions. However, the adoption of water-efficient technologies remains limited. In 2023, only 17% of irrigated land (312,000 hectares) used these systems, with drip irrigation covering just 84,000 hectares.

Education Transport Tourism Trade Water Economic Cooperation

Kazakh and Kyrgyz Prime Ministers Discuss Trade, Transport, and Water Cooperation

On February 24, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held talks in Astana with Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. The visit marked Kasymaliyev’s first official foreign trip since his appointment as Kyrgyzstan’s prime minister in December last year. Expanding Trade and Economic Cooperation The discussions covered trade, transit, water and energy cooperation, investment, and cultural ties, according to the Kazakh government’s press service. Bektenov noted that bilateral trade reached $1.7 billion last year, underscoring Kazakhstan’s role as one of Kyrgyzstan’s key trading partners. Kasymaliyev reaffirmed both governments' commitment to raising trade volume to $3 billion by 2030, a goal set by the presidents of both countries. He also revealed that Kazakhstani companies invested nearly $49 million in Kyrgyzstan’s economy in the first nine months of 2024. New Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex Kasymaliyev emphasized the importance of the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex at the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border, which aims to streamline cargo transportation and enhance trade efficiency. The complex, located near the Karasu and Ak-Tilek road checkpoints, will be one of the largest cargo hubs in Central Asia, facilitating consolidation, processing, and distribution of goods. Land plots have already been allocated, and the Alatau industrial zone has been established in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region to support the project. Energy Cooperation and Food Security Kasymaliyev highlighted the potential duty-free supply of Kazakh oil to Kyrgyzstan, which would bolster Kyrgyzstan’s energy security and lower fuel costs for consumers. Additionally, both sides discussed building a trade and logistics warehouse in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region to store and distribute fruits and vegetables, ensuring stable fresh produce supplies and improving food security. Kasymaliyev stressed that these initiatives would create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen economic cooperation. Improving Transport and Border Infrastructure In the transit and transport sector, both governments focused on modernizing automobile checkpoints to boost cargo capacity at the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. Water Cooperation Water resource management was another key topic, particularly irrigation water supplies from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan for the upcoming growing season. Discussions centered on the Shu (Chu) and Talas rivers, which are crucial for agriculture in both countries. Tourism and Education The talks also explored expanding cross-border tourism, including: Developing eco-routes Improving active tourism infrastructure Attracting investment in the hotel industry Additionally, the two leaders discussed preparations for opening branches of Kazakh universities in Kyrgyzstan to enhance educational cooperation. The meeting underscored Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to deepening economic, energy, and infrastructure ties, while also addressing key water and environmental concerns. The successful implementation of these initiatives will boost regional integration and economic growth for both nations.

Water Report Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Water Management Irtysh River

Report Addresses Cross-Border Challenges in Irtysh River Basin

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. [caption id="attachment_29111" align="aligncenter" width="1950"] The Irtysh River Basin; image: eabr.org[/caption] 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,...

Climate Change Water Water Shortages

Experts Warn Central Asia Faces Chronic Water Shortage by 2028

Central Asia is heading toward a severe water crisis as climate change, population growth, and outdated infrastructure put increasing pressure on the region’s water resources, experts have warned. At a recent roundtable on climate change and water management, Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the growing threat. Climate change is a major factor, as rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt - the primary source of freshwater in Central Asia. Meanwhile, rapid population growth is driving up demand. Uzbekistan, the region’s most populous country, has seen its population increase from 22 million in 1991 to an estimated 37.5 million in 2025. Across Central Asia, the total population is approaching 80 million. Another challenge is outdated infrastructure. Pritchin noted that up to 50% of irrigation water is lost due to inefficient and aging systems. Moreover, the region lacks a strong institutional framework for managing water distribution and policy. While some cooperative projects exist - such as the joint construction of the Kambar-Ata hydropower plant - they are insufficient to address the broader crisis. In response to these challenges, on February 19, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $125 million loan to help Uzbekistan improve water security, reduce losses, and enhance distribution efficiency. The Climate-Smart Water Management Improvement Project aims to introduce advanced monitoring and management systems. Uzbekistan’s national water utility, Uzsuvtaminot, will implement digital technology to track water flow, minimize waste, and improve service delivery. The initiative will also establish a comprehensive inventory of water supply infrastructure and deploy a nationwide bulk flow metering and telemetry system. “Uzbekistan’s water resources are under acute threat from climate change and inefficient usage,” said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan, Kanokpan Lao-Araya. “ADB’s project introduces smart water management systems to improve water usage, reduce energy consumption, and increase operational efficiency to lower Uzbekistan’s carbon footprint.” This initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and prepare for future water challenges. However, experts caution that without stronger regional cooperation, no single country can fully resolve the crisis.