Summer is approaching. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan collaborate on Amu Darya water management

The heads of the water management departments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have addressed issues related to the operation and modernization of water management infrastructure, flood control, and shoreline reinforcement along the Amu Darya. Additionally, they focused on the efficient use of water resources. This information was reported by the "Dunyo" news agency. 

On March 13-14 of this year, a delegation from the Ministry of Water Management of Uzbekistan visited Turkmenistan for a working visit. A meeting was held in the city of Turkmenabad between the heads and specialists of the water management departments from both countries.

As a result of the discussions, both sides agreed on the next steps to ensure the consistent implementation of agreements reached during the fourth meeting of the Uzbek-Turkmen Joint Intergovernmental Commission on water management issues. 

“The parties agreed to closely cooperate in carrying out the necessary hydraulic engineering measures to prevent losses in the Amu Darya flow and to ensure its rational use,” the report stated. 

The meeting also saw agreements made on conducting joint research on transboundary water bodies, exchanging knowledge on water-saving technologies, digitalizing water resource management, and enhancing cooperation in training specialists for the water management sector.

Representatives from the water management departments of both countries also visited the Tuyamoyin hydroelectric complex, where they discussed joint efforts to ensure the effective operation of the complex.

For reference, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have previously expressed concerns about the Kushtepa Canal under construction in Afghanistan. The canal aims to transform the agricultural landscape by supplying water to drought-stricken areas. When completed, the canal will stretch 285 kilometers and help irrigate the arid northern regions of Afghanistan. However, the canal will divert water from the Amu Darya River, creating potential water supply issues for both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which have relied on the river since the Soviet era. The two countries could lose up to 15 percent of their current water flow once the canal is finished in 2028.

Earlier, we reported that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have automated the metering of the Syr Darya River and installed 10 new measuring stations along its course.