Information on the regular 69th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) in Central Asia

The regular 69th ICWC meeting took place on January 26, 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The participants were the ICWC members from the Republic of Kazakhstan (E.N. Nysanbayev), Republic of Tajikistan (S.N. Rakhimzoda), and Republic of Uzbekistan (Sh.R. Khamraev) under the chairmanship of ICWC member of Turkmenistan (G. Baydjanov). The heads of ICWC executives bodies (BWO “Amudarya”, BWO “Syrdarya”, SIC ICWC, and the Secretariat) and some invitees also attended the meeting.

Agenda of the meeting included:

1. Results of the growing season 2016 in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River basins;
2. Consideration and approval of the water withdrawal limits and operation regimes of the reservoir cascade for the next non-growing season 2016-2017 in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River basins;
3. Commemorative activities for the 25th anniversary of ICWC;
4. Agenda and venue for the next 70th ICWC meeting.

Having heard the reports of BWO “Amudarya” and BWO “Syrdarya” on the results of the growing season 2016 in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River basins, ICWC members have approved it. Based on the comments from Kazakhstan, BWO “Syrdarya” was instructed to update the data related to the Shardara reservoir and inflow to Prearalie and the Aral Sea.

ICWC members have underlined the progress recently achieved in data accounting on water use along the North Fergana Canal and Big Fergana Canal, as well as have expressed a need to make attempts to ensure water delivery to Tajikistan according to the approved limits. BWO “Syrdarya” was instructed to improve forecasts in order to reduce differences between the forecast and actual data on water availability. ICWC members also mentioned the common interest in improving and enhancing operation of gauging stations throughout the Syrdarya River basin, particularly, by installing automated stations and attracting attention of donors.

On the second issue of the agenda, ICWC members approved the projected water withdrawal limits of countries and operation regime of the reservoir cascades for the non-growing season 2016-2017 in the Amudarya and Syrdarya River basins, stressing a need for consultation with the Kyrgyz side on the Syrdarya River basin in due course.

On the third issue of the agenda, ICWC members mentioned the huge role of ICWC in maintaining interstate water cooperation in Central Asia and decided to convene commemorative activities in 2017 in the honor of 25th anniversary of the Commission. In this context, Organization Committee is to be established which will consist of ICWC members, SIC ICWC, the Secretariat and one representative from each country member. The Committee will prepare a preliminary program of the events within a month and submit it to ICWC members for discussion in their respective countries and further appeal to donors for getting financial and other support.

ICWC members have approved the Heads of BWO “Syrdarya”  (O.A.Kholkhudjaev) and BWO “Amudarya” (M.Ya.Makhramov) respectively.

The next 70th  ICWC meeting is planned to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in the first half of April 2017, with the following agenda:

• The results of the non-growing season 2016-2017 in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River basins;
• Consideration and approval of the water withdrawal limits and operation regimes of the reservoir cascade for the next growing season 2017 in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River basins;
• Progress on commemorative activities for the 25th anniversary of ICWC;
• Progress on the "Plan for the implementation of the main directions for strengthening the ICWC activities"
• Agenda and venue of the next 71st  ICWC meeting.