Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan sign protocol on joint operation of Bahri Tochik reservoir

In a significant step toward regional water cooperation, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have signed a protocol for the shared operation of the Bahri Tochik Water Reservoir from June to August 2025, during the region’s critical vegetation and irrigation period.

The agreement was formalized in Dubai on the sidelines of the International Glaciers Protection Conference, Kazinform News Agency reported.

The accord was signed by the water resources ministers of the three Central Asian nations and outlines a detailed schedule for water usage and distribution, aimed at ensuring equitable and efficient allocation among the riparian states.

Under the protocol, Kazakhstan will receive 491 million cubic meters of water during the peak agricultural season. The agreement seeks to mitigate regional water stress and improve coordination amid increasing climate variability and demand on shared river systems.

Regional Collaboration Amid Climate Challenges

“Kazakhstan is committed to the implementation of joint water management projects and the promotion of international water law principles,” said Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources. “Only through cooperation can we effectively respond to climate challenges.”

The Bahri Tochik reservoir, located in Tajikistan, plays a pivotal role in supplying water downstream to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, especially during the dry summer months. The protocol reflects a broader effort among Central Asian states to depoliticize water sharing and adopt cooperative mechanisms for sustainable transboundary water management.

A Broader Context of Regional Engagement

This trilateral agreement follows recent discussions in Tashkent, where the energy and water ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan convened to address the interconnected operation of water and energy systems. The talks centered on minimizing disruptions during summer and optimizing resource use amid declining glacier-fed river flows.

As climate change continues to impact Central Asia’s freshwater availability, particularly from melting glaciers, regional frameworks like this protocol are seen as essential to maintaining agricultural productivity and avoiding tensions over shared water assets.

The agreement on Bahri Tochik is a notable example of pragmatic diplomacy in a region often challenged by complex water politics, and it may serve as a model for further cross-border cooperation on resource management.

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