Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to digitize water accounting on the Syr Darya
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have identified 10 hydroposts on the Syr Darya River where automatic water metering systems will be installed. The heads of industry departments Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Shavkat Khamrayev discussed the automation of hydroposts and the digitalization of water metering. As Nurzhigitov noted, negotiations are underway with international financial organizations and companies on the joint implementation of the project, Sputnik reports .
They also discussed the operating modes of the Naryn-Syrdarya cascade of reservoirs for the pre-irrigation season of next year. At the next meeting of the Interstate Coordination Water Management Commission of Central Asia, a forecast schedule for the operation of reservoirs will be drawn up and the volumes of water supply will be approved.
"Over the year, we have become convinced that our joint work produces positive results, so we intend to continue close bilateral cooperation. We have common views on many issues. This allows us to resolve most of the existing issues on a mutually beneficial basis," Nurzhigitov noted.
In turn, Shavkat Khamraev stated Uzbekistan’s desire to strengthen cooperation within the framework of IFAS.
"Uzbekistan fully supports Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. And we want to strengthen cooperation in this area, work together on projects. For example, on preserving the ecosystems of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, providing local residents with high-quality drinking water, restoring small and local reservoirs and others," Khamrayev said.
In addition, the parties discussed the development of a Regional Strategy for the Rational Use of Water Resources. Following the talks, the ministers signed a protocol of the meeting.