Central Asian States Discuss the Rational Use of Water Resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins

On 7 October 2026, as part of the high-level meeting of the Central Asian states held at the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan, the matters related to the rational use of water resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins were addressed. The meeting was chaired by Durdy Genjiev, Chairman of the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan.

The meeting was attended by the heads of delegations from the Central Asian countries: Nurzhan Nurjigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Erlist Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic; Daler Abdurazokzoda, representative of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan; and Shavkat Khamraev, Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Key Topics Discussed

The meeting focused on the following matters:

• Joint management of water resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins;
• Improving water-use efficiency in the context of economic and demographic growth;
• Adapting water resources management to climate change, including glacier conservation, drought management, prevention of land degradation and combating desertification;
• Strengthening regional cooperation and international support, including through the mechanisms of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).

During the meeting, representatives of the participating states presented national reports outlining the current situation, key challenges and approaches to managing water resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins. These presentations provided a basis for exchanging views on joint water management and exploring opportunities to further strengthen regional cooperation.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion of the key findings and conclusions drawn from the national reports. Participants reviewed and adopted the outcome document of the high-level meeting.

The high-level meeting reaffirmed the importance of a coordinated approach among Central Asian states to managing the transboundary water resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins. Discussions on water-use efficiency, climate change adaptation and regional cooperation laid the groundwork for further engagement to ensure sustainable use of the region’s water.