Uzbekistan to supply 16 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan

February 5—Uzbekistan will supply 16 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan by October 1, 2025, marking an increase from last year's allocation. The announcement was made today by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamroyev, and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurjigitov, during the 12th meeting of the joint working group on bilateral water cooperation.  

In 2024, Uzbekistan supplied 15 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan. This year, the volume will increase by 1 billion cubic meters. Additionally, Uzbekistan has committed to ensuring a stable water supply through the "Friendship" canal during the 2025 irrigation season.  

The ministers also agreed to collaborate on repairing interstate canals, a move aimed at improving water distribution for farmers in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region and Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region.  

Another key topic of discussion was the automation of water metering on the Syrdarya River. Previously, both countries identified five to ten locations each for the installation of monitoring systems.

"Today, we finalized the terms of reference for the feasibility study of the project. Later this month, a joint working group meeting, involving international organizations, will be held to discuss further steps," Nurjigitov stated.

Earlier, Kazakhstan was promised 11 billion cubic meters of water from the Syrdarya River by April 2025.  

                                                                                         Mohimbegim Ma’rufaliyeva