A trilateral meeting significant for the ecological balance of Central Asia took place in Tashkent within the framework of the International Energy Forum. The ministers of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, who oversee water and energy resources, signed an important protocol on the agreed operating modes of energy facilities and the procedure for water distribution in the Syr Darya River basin for the upcoming growing season.
For the environmental well-being of the region, this agreement is of paramount importance, since it allows the needs of economic development to be harmonized with the preservation of natural water systems. Balanced use of water resources in the Syr Darya – is a key factor for maintaining a fragile ecological balance throughout the Central Asian region.
The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Erlan Akkenzhenov, who represented the Kazakh side at the negotiations, noted the importance of the environmental component of the agreements reached:
«Regular tripartite consultations and the signing of protocols on water and energy issues allow us to take a systematic approach to managing common resources. The agreements reached today on regimes for the growing season are the result of consistent joint work and are aimed at ensuring the interests of all participating countries».
It has been repeatedly emphasized that it is the coordination of the actions of the countries of the region in managing water resources that is the key to preventing further degradation of the ecosystems of the Aral Sea region. Such agreements at the ministerial level before each growing season make it possible to take into account both the current hydrological situation and the environmental needs of the region.
As part of the visit, the Kazakh minister also visited the exhibition «Energy Week of Uzbekistan», where he got acquainted with modern technologies and developments in the energy sector. Particular attention was paid to environmentally friendly technologies and solutions in the field of renewable energy, including those presented by Kazakh companies.
On the sidelines of the forum, strategic projects of long-term environmental importance for the region were also touched upon. Thus, discussions continue on the project for the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as work on creating the Caspian Energy Corridor with the participation of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
