On December 20, 2024, the 7th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group (Commission) on Environmental Protection and Water Quality in the Syr Darya River Basin was held. The meeting took place online via the Zoom platform, with support from the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).
The meeting convened representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (RU), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK), the Ministry of Water Management of RU, the Specialized Analytical Control Center of RU, Kazhydromet under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of RK, the Department of Ecology for the Turkestan Region under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of RK, the Department for Natural Resource Management and Environmental Regulation under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of RK, the Air Protection Office, and the Water, Land, and Subsoil Protection Department of RU, as well as international development partners.
One of the key discussion points was the continuation of coordinated water quality monitoring in the Syr Darya River. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the 2024 Work Plan, including water sampling at approved locations, analysis of physical and chemical parameters, and data exchange between the parties. Representatives from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan expressed satisfaction with the results achieved and reviewed the analytical report on the work conducted.
Special attention was given to the inventory of potential pollution sources in the Bozsu Canal and the Badam River, with the presentation of results, as well as the development of a program for the conservation and restoration of the river’s ecosystem for 2025–2027. This initiative falls under the framework of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Cooperation in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources.
During the second session, participants were presented with the results of exchange visits focused on the implementation of automated monitoring systems for emissions and discharges at industrial enterprises, as well as state supervision of such facilities. The enterprises included UKMK LLP “KazZinc,” LLP “Ust-Kamenogorsk CHPP” (Ust-Kamenogorsk), and “Promanalit” (Pavlodar). Participants also reviewed the outcomes of a water quality laboratory exchange visit, organized as part of the RRG-WQ action plan, involving LLP “KAPE” and LLP “Nomad Eco.”
The meeting also presented the structure of the Joint Action Plan for Emergency Situations in the Syr Darya River Basin, developed within the framework of the project “Strengthening Actions in Water Supply, Sanitation, and Protection of Water Resources from Accidental Pollution under Climate Change Conditions in Uzbekistan.” This project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by UNECE since December 2023, aims to improve transboundary cooperation and information exchange on water quality to prevent accidental pollution of transboundary river basins from tailings dam failures.
During the session dedicated to the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative, the outcomes of the first phase of the project were presented. Irina Yugay, Acting Manager of the Water Initiatives Support Program at CAREC, outlined the results of Blue Peace 1.0. Continuing the discussion, Farhod Abdurakhmanov, Coordinator of the Water Diplomacy Program and Deputy Head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), introduced the new phase of the project, Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0. In his remarks, Farhod Abdurakhmanov emphasized that the work of this group would be actively supported and further developed in the next phase of the project.
In conclusion, the parties agreed to conduct a joint water sampling in the autumn and additionally approved a list of three new water quality indicators to be added to the existing 28 already used in the joint monitoring of the Syr Darya River. To ensure objectivity and impartiality of results, it was decided to organize interlaboratory comparisons involving an independent laboratory.
The parties also resolved to jointly enhance the qualifications of specialists, develop a unified water quality standard to serve as the basis for harmonizing laboratory procedures, and further deepen cooperation.
A decision was made to involve upstream basin countries—Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan—in the group’s meetings and activities. Additionally, it was proposed to approach the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to explore potential support for the implementation of joint scientific research within the framework of the approved work plan.
The meeting’s outcomes underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in water resource protection and implementing joint initiatives to ensure their sustainable management and environmental conservation.
Brief note:
Since 2019, regular meetings of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group (Commission) on environmental protection and water quality issues in the Syrdarya River Basin have been held with the support of the Blue Peace Central Asia Initiative, implemented by CAREC and funded by Switzerland. The Commission was established in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources dated June 2, 1997 and the Strategy of Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2019, signed during the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The establishment of the Commission became an important stage in the realization of joint efforts of the countries to preserve and maintain the environmental sustainability of transboundary cooperation, as well as laid the foundation for long-term cooperation in the key issue of water quality in the region.
Additional information:
Irina Yugay – Acting Project Manager of CAREC Water Initiatives Support Program, wisspecialist@carececo.org
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