Important agreements on interstate water cooperation reached in Turkmenistan

During the meeting, water sector officials from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan discussed the rational use of water resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins, water allocation and ways to strengthen regional cooperation.

Minister Shavkat Khamraev briefed participants on water management in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins during the 2026 growing season, including water use and water supply conditions.

The Minister emphasized the importance of jointly agreeing on and approving water withdrawal limits and projected operating regimes for reservoir cascades for the 2026–2027 non-growing season.

He also highlighted the need for coordinated management of water systems, improved water accounting and monitoring, modernization of gauging stations and wider use of digital technologies. Particular emphasis was placed on prompt information exchange and consultations in the event of changes in hydrological conditions.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put forward important initiatives aimed at promoting the rational use of water resources and strengthening regional cooperation in Central Asia.

In line with these initiatives, Shavkat Khamraev stated that Uzbekistan is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with all countries in the region to further improve mechanisms for interstate water cooperation. He called on the countries of the region to participate actively in this process.

The Chairman of the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan, D. Gendjiyev; the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, N. Nurzhigitov; and the Head of the Main Department for Water and Energy Policy of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, D. Abdurazzoqzoda, also addressed the meeting.

In accordance with the agenda, participants heard reports on the efficient use of regional water resources and the implementation of tasks set at summits of the heads of the founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the approval of water withdrawal limits for countries in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins for the 2026–2027 non-growing season.

The heads of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basin water management organizations presented reports on compliance with water withdrawal limits during the 2026 growing season and on the operation of reservoirs under the existing operating regimes.

Particular attention was given to ensuring the reliability of data transmitted from the Kerki gauging station and to balanced water supply management for users in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Amu Darya. In addition, the process of preparing a work plan for the introduction of an automated water accounting system in the Syr Darya basin was approved.

Participants also reviewed progress in implementing initiatives put forward at summits of the heads of the founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as well as the activities of the Fund’s Scientific Information Center and executive bodies.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on preparations for the UN Water Conference, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, and the 11th World Water Forum, scheduled for Riyadh in March 2027.

It was agreed that the next, 96th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination would be held in Uzbekistan.

A protocol was signed at the conclusion of the meeting.