Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan Agree on Joint Actions for a Stable Winter and Preparation for Vegetation

A meeting of the heads of water and energy agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan was held in Almaty under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Erlan Akkenzhenov. The talks became particularly important in light of the difficult situation at the Toktogul Reservoir and the growing need for coordinated regional action during the upcoming autumn-winter period.

Attending the roundtable were: Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Energy Taalaybek Ibraev, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management Shavkat Khamraev, and Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources Almaz Zheenaliev.

Support to Kyrgyzstan with Electricity and Water Accumulation Plan

The main outcome of the meeting was the agreement on the parameters of further water-energy cooperation. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan confirmed their readiness to support Kyrgyzstan with electricity supplies during the autumn-winter period. This will allow Bishkek to reduce its own electricity production in the cold season and focus efforts on accumulating water in the Toktogul Reservoir.

The accumulated resources will be redistributed to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the 2026 vegetation period for stable irrigation of agricultural lands, especially in southern regions, where water scarcity is traditionally more acute.

Joint energy-saving measures

 In addition to energy assistance, the parties agreed to undertake joint measures to reduce consumption and implement energy-saving approaches. According to participants, this will allow more flexible load management and enhance the resilience of regional energy systems.

Transit, balancing, and the spirit of good-neighborliness

 Representatives of the three countries emphasized that all work is carried out in the spirit of good-neighborliness and shared responsibility for stability in Central Asia. The Uzbek side, in turn, confirmed its readiness to provide the necessary technical conditions for electricity transit and balancing within the framework of the agreements.

Protocol formalizing the agreements

Following the meeting, a trilateral protocol was signed. The document legally establishes the volumes of mutual electricity supplies for the winter period, as well as the water accumulation plan for the 2026 vegetation period.

Experts note that such coordination is one of the key elements of regional energy security, where water system resources are directly linked to electricity consumption and production.