The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) published a study stating that the water resources of the transboundary Irtysh River are becoming increasingly important for China, Kazakhstan and Russia. The bank noted that high rates of economic growth and an increase in population in the river basin significantly increase the demand for water.
A new study entitled «Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions» presents the results of an analysis and forecast of the state of water resources in the basin, identifies the positions of three countries and proposes practical solutions, including investment ones. The main ones are aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, developing «soft» infrastructure and creating a multimodal transport corridor «Russia-Kazakhstan-China».
The Irtysh — is the longest transboundary tributary river in the world, its length is 4248 kilometers. Together with the Ob, the Irtysh forms the longest water artery in Russia, the second longest in Asia and the seventh in the world. The Irtysh flows through the territories of Kazakhstan, Russia and China, which makes the river especially significant for each country, closely linking their interests.
In China, the water resources of the upper Irtysh are necessary for the development of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The population of XUAR increased from 15.2 million in 1990 to 25.87 million in 2022, and the GRP per capita grew 28-fold during the same period. The region continues to develop at a high rate and is one of the most vulnerable to «water stress». The XUAR’s needs for water, food and electricity are expected to increase manifold. Leading research institutions predict that water resource withdrawals could more than triple — from the current 1.5-2.0 cubic meters to 7 cubic meters per year out of 8.3 cubic meters of average long-term natural flow.
In Kazakhstan, the water resources of the Irtysh and its tributaries provide livelihoods for almost 30% of the population. About 45% of the country’s agricultural products are produced in the basin. The Irtysh cascade of hydroelectric power stations provides 10% of the country’s total electricity generation. The possible risks associated with China’s runoff are significant. In this regard, Kazakhstan is strengthening interaction with China and Russia in a bilateral format. Projects for the construction of new reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations are being developed at the national level, and the widespread introduction of water-saving technologies is envisaged.
For Russia, the active water management policy of the upper basin countries — Kazakhstan and China is of decisive importance. In the event of excessive water abstraction in China, there is a risk of a reduction in the flow coming from the territory of Kazakhstan. The predicted change in the quantity and quality of water resources in the next decade poses serious challenges to socio-economic development for the city of Omsk and the adjacent Omsk municipal district. They account for 80% of the total abstraction of water resources and 90% of the volume of used water in the region. In low-water years, there is a risk of a shortage of water resources spreading along the entire river route.
The transboundary nature of the Irtysh River necessitates strategic partnership and cooperation in the river basin between China, Kazakhstan and Russia. Effective management of water resources requires the development of practical forms of interaction that meet common interests and contribute to economic integration, resolution of social and, most importantly, environmental problems in the basin.
First of all, it is proposed to expand bilateral interstate cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as Kazakhstan and China, with the implementation of key provisions of international conventions in national water legislation and intergovernmental agreements. Cooperation programs could contain such areas as ensuring international navigation on the Irtysh River and further along the Ob River, combating water pollution, regulating the safe use of water bodies, increasing the efficiency and safety of water use during periods of floods, low water and drought.
It is expected that this approach will create the necessary legal framework and facilitate the signing of a tripartite agreement between countries.
Secondly, within the framework of bilateral cooperation, today it is important to focus on the development of «soft» infrastructure. It is appropriate to establish an international integrated monitoring system — bilateral cooperation programmes should be based on a single and transparent river flow monitoring system where data would be available to all parties. It also seems useful to form a coordinated system of training and retraining of personnel, as well as conduct interdisciplinary research on the basis of large institutes with the participation of scientists from Kazakhstan, China and Russia on the water resources of the transboundary basin of the Irtysh River.
Thirdly, the coordinated operation of existing hydraulic structures and the planning of future ones deserve special attention. Projects aimed at ensuring the stability of water supply in the Irtysh River basin without compromising water resources in other countries are also priorities for implementation. Promising projects include the construction of the 2nd stage of the Shulbinskaya hydroelectric power station in Kazakhstan, the construction of the Semipalatinsk hydroelectric power station in Kazakhstan, the reconstruction and modernization of the Irtysh — Karaganda canal in Kazakhstan, as well as the construction of the Krasnogorsk hub near the city of Omsk in Russia.
Fourthly, the strategic direction is the creation of a full-fledged multimodal transport corridor «Russia — Kazakhstan — China» using the navigable potential of the rivers of the Ob-Irtysh basin. The Ob and Irtysh rivers can become a link between the Northern Sea Route and the Silk Road and integrate Eurasian transport corridors into the global transport system. The new multimodal corridor will allow the landlocked countries of Central Asia and the northwestern regions of China to reach the internal Russian regions and further to the Arctic Ocean.
This initiative is of interest to all countries of the Irtysh River basin and can become the basis for developing the foundations of trilateral cooperation. An important condition for the integrated use of the water transport potential of the Irtysh corridor is the achievement of tripartite agreements on regulating the water regime of the Irtysh during the navigation period and the creation of an international river authority for navigation. Such cooperation can contribute to the formation of interstate mechanisms for coordinated management of water resources in the Irtysh basin.
The report was based on research by leading institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, strategic documents and concepts, available materials from bilateral meetings, as well as discussions with representatives of relevant government bodies.
It must be emphasized that the problem of transboundary rivers, and the Irtysh in particular, is not only economic and political, but also, above all, environmental. Growing anthropogenic impact on the river, increased water intake, pollution from industrial and agricultural wastewater – all this poses a serious threat to the fragile ecosystem of the Irtysh. Further exploitation of the river without taking into account environmental consequences can lead to irreversible changes, degradation of the water body, loss of biodiversity and deterioration of the quality of life of millions of people dependent on this waterway. An integrated, scientifically based approach to managing the water resources of the Irtysh is needed, with the priority of preserving its environmental well-being for future generations. This is the only way to avoid an environmental disaster and ensure sustainable development of the region.
