The 94th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (ICWC) was held in the city of Turkistan, bringing together senior officials responsible for water management across the region.
The meeting was attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Chairman of the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan Durdy Gendjiev, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamrayev, Turkistan Region Governor Nuralkhan Kusherov, and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yeraly Tugzhanov.
Participants reviewed water allocation limits and reservoir operating regimes for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins during the 2026 irrigation season. They also discussed a draft plan to introduce an automated water accounting system for the Syr Darya basin and approved the development of the document. A dedicated working group is expected to be established by September to advance the initiative.
The commission also reviewed the implementation of the Central Asia Water and Energy Cooperation (CAWEC) regional project, supported by a World Bank grant, which aims to improve water resource management across Central Asia. In addition, participants discussed progress on initiatives stemming from decisions of the Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).
“The ICWC has remained the key professional platform for coordinating water management decisions in Central Asia for many years. It enables practical approaches to the joint management of the transboundary water resources of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, balancing the interests of the region’s countries and ensuring sustainable water use,” said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.
According to the ministry, coordinated cooperation within the ICWC has ensured a stable inflow of water into the Shardara Reservoir this year. Since April 1, 2026, approximately 3 billion cubic meters of water have flowed into the reservoir, exceeding both last year’s volume and the long-term average. Additional inflows are expected before the end of the irrigation season.
Water conditions in the Syr Darya basin remain favorable, and water supplies for agricultural needs are being delivered as planned.
The 95th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia will be hosted by Turkmenistan.