Central Asian countries approve irrigation water supply schedules ahead of summer season

The main outcome of the meeting was the signing of a trilateral protocol that formalized the agreed volumes and release schedules of water from the Toktogul Reservoir for the next two months. Ensuring sufficient water supply for the southern regions during the growing season was the key issue on the agenda.

The signing of the protocol guarantees adherence to the water release schedules from the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant and removes uncertainty for farmers at the start of the season. This will allow Kazakh and Uzbek farmers to complete the initial stage of irrigation work smoothly and without disruptions.

To ensure stable water supply through the end of the agricultural season, the countries agreed to act in stages. The next in-person meeting of the ministers will take place in mid-June in Bishkek. During that meeting, the sides are expected to finalize schedules and approve water release volumes for the following critically important months - July, August, and September.

The signing of the current protocol confirms the high effectiveness of the interstate water-energy balance mechanism. The successful agreement on summer water releases was preceded by systematic joint efforts by the countries during the off-season period.

From September 2025 to April 2026, Kazakhstan supplied more than 1.56 billion kWh of electricity to Kyrgyzstan’s energy system. This step allowed the neighboring republic to avoid using water reserves during winter for heating needs and to preserve the resources of the Toktogul Reservoir specifically for the current agricultural needs of the entire macro-region.

The Kazakh delegation at the negotiations included Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.

Representing the partner countries at the working meeting were Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamrayev.

Previously, Qazinform reported Central Asian countries are to develop a major climate project to protect soils.