During the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Uzbekistan, the second meeting of the Supreme Intergovernmental Council took place. According to information from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, on November 15, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, the head of the agency, and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Hamraev signed an intergovernmental agreement concerning the joint management of transboundary water resources.
This document establishes mechanisms for cooperation in managing rivers and canals that serve to supply water to the population and agricultural lands. It also includes coordination of the operation of public water facilities, joint inspections, and precautionary measures to prevent emergency situations.
The parties agreed to create an automated system for accounting water resources in transboundary areas, which will allow for operational data exchange. This will significantly improve control over water use and strengthen mutual trust between water authorities.
The agreement also contains provisions for modernizing infrastructure, reducing water losses, implementing technologies that conserve water resources, and improving the condition of irrigated lands. In addition, the countries will work together to prevent negative consequences related to floods, droughts, and other natural phenomena.
To implement these agreements, an intergovernmental commission will be established to coordinate actions, make decisions regarding the operation of water facilities, and form working groups. Commission meetings will be held twice a year, alternately in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Nurzhan Nurzhigitov emphasized that this agreement is the result of many years of work that began in 2017. It is based on international obligations, including the agreement of February 18, 1992, between the Central Asian countries on the joint management of water resources and the UN convention on the protection of transboundary watercourses. According to him, the signing of this document will strengthen trust between the states, enhance water security in border regions, and contribute to the development of agriculture.
