Central Asian countries have agreed on water withdrawal limits and reservoir operating plans for the 2026-2027 non-growing season, with inflows into Kazakhstan’s Shardara Reservoir -- a crucial water source for agriculture --expected to reach around 10 billion cubic metres.
The agreement was reached at the 95th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia, held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. Its sigificance lies in the fact that it ensures Central Asia has enough water for agriculture and other needs after the 2026 growing season.
The participants reviewed the 2026 growing season in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins and approved water withdrawal limits and projected reservoir operating schedules for the coming non-growing season.
Water management in the Syr Darya basin remained stable during the growing season. The flow of water into the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region exceeded the forecast. Officials now expect around 10 billion cubic metres to flow into the reservoir during the 2026-2027 non-growing period.
The countries also discussed improving the monitoring and accounting of regional water resources. A working group will be convened to develop a draft plan for introducing an automated water-accounting system in the Syr Darya basin. The system is intended to improve the monitoring of water use across the transboundary river basin.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of decisions adopted at previous summits of the heads of state who founded the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
The ICWC meeting was held as Central Asian and other regional leaders gathered in Turkmenistan for a series of high-level meetings. It brought together water officials from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with Kyrgyzstan represented by its ambassador to Turkmenistan.
The next, 96th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination is planned to take place in Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2027.
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