Inauguration of the Chu-Talas Rivers Commission –
A breakthrough in Central Asian water relations
The sharing of water resources, in particular between upstream and downstream countries, is often characterized by tension and insecurity. But Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have found a mutually beneficial way to share the responsibility for water infrastructure used by both countries. In a bilateral agreement, Kazakhstan has agreed to pay part of the operating and maintenance expenses for a number of Kyrgyz dams and reservoirs which supply water to both countries. A bilateral commission will now start work to implement the agreement, taking a huge step towards addressing a contentious issue and achieving a breakthrough in water relations in Central Asia.
The first meeting of the newly formed Chu-Talas Rivers Commission was held on 26 July 2006. Under a joint project implemented by two United Nations regional commissions – the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – and by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Statute of the Commission has been prepared and agreed on by the concerned ministries and agencies of both countries. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan’s parts of the Commission have equal standing, and each country’s part will report to a water management agency in that country.
The international community has supported the Commission’s formation through its own coordinated efforts. The European Union has implemented a project on integrated water resources management in the basins of the Chu and Talas rivers, while the Asian Development Bank has provided support for setting up the Commission secretariat and renovating some infrastructure on the rivers.
Applying the example of Kazakh-Kyrgyz cooperation to resource sharing in other transboundary river basins in Central Asia could lead to greater all-around capacity to meet the region’s water needs.
For more information, please visit http://www.talaschu.org/ or contact:
Mr. Bo LIBERT Mr. Kojhi Iwakami
Regional Adviser Ecomomic Affairs Officer
UNECE Environment, Housing UNESCAP Environment and
and Land Management Division Sustainable Development Division
Palais des Nations UN Building
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 2396 Phone: 662288 1542
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 06 21 Fax: 662288 1059
E-mail: E-mail: