Central Asia moves to digitize water management in Syr Darya basin

Central Asian countries have agreed to develop a plan to automate water accounting across the Syr Darya basin, a key water source for the region, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.

The agreement was reached at the 94th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia, held in Turkistan, southern Kazakhstan.

“Participants at the meeting approved the development of the document. A special working group on the issue is expected to be established by September this year,” the ministry said.

The meeting brought together heads of relevant government agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Water management at the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan was also discussed. The reservoir is located on the Syr Darya and plays an important role in regulating water supplies for agriculture.

“Since April 1, 2026, approximately 3 billion cubic metres of water have flowed into the reservoir, exceeding both last year’s figures and the long-term average. Further inflows are expected through the end of the growing season. The water-management situation in the Syr Darya basin is favorable. Water supplies for agricultural needs are being provided as usual,” the ministry said.

The Syr Darya passes through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Water management along the river has historically been complicated by competing needs: upstream countries rely on its waters for hydropower generation, while downstream states depend heavily on the river for agricultural irrigation.

By Vafa Guliyeva