On October 7, the 95th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was held in the "Awaza" National Tourist Zone. The forum was attended by heads and representatives of the water management agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as of the Commission's executive bodies and units.

The meeting participants summed up the results of work in the field of water resource use and reservoir operation in the Amyderýa and Syrderýa gains over the past period. It was noted that, thanks to coordinated activities and consistent interaction among the relevant agencies of the countries of the region, the tasks of providing water for the agricultural sector and ecosystems were successfully fulfilled.

The meeting participants paid particular attention to the approval of water use volumes for the upcoming period and agreed schedules for the operation of reservoirs. Issues concerning the monitoring of actual water flow, the provision of sanitary and environmental releases in the Aral Sea region and the determination of water flow regimes were discussed.

As part of the meeting, an analysis was given of the progress in implementing previously adopted decisions aimed at the systemic modernization of Central Asia's water management infrastructure. The meeting participants placed emphasis on the pace of implementation of joint interstate programs and instructions of the leaders of the countries of the region.

Speakers stressed the important role of Turkmenistan in promoting effective regional dialogue on the rational and scientifically grounded use of water resources. As was noted, the introduction of the drip irrigation method in our country, as well as the large-scale state projects being implemented to build collector-drainage networks, make an enormous contribution to the common efforts to carefully conserve water resources.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were the introduction of modern digital technologies and the automation of water accounting in the channels of transboundary rivers. The participants gave a high assessment of the work on equipping the hydrological posts of the "Amyderýa" and "Syrderýa" water management associations with new measuring instruments that ensure high accuracy of readings.

The Commission meeting also considered issues of mitigating the effects of the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region. The members of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination discussed joint measures to supply water to the deltas and water basins of the Aral Sea, and the coordination of actions to stabilize sands on the dried-up bed of the Aral Sea.

Along with this, the activities of the Scientific Information Center and the Executive Secretariat of the ICWC during the reporting period were reviewed. The need to step up joint scientific research aimed at adapting the water management system to climate change and glacier melt conditions was emphasized.

In addition, during the 95th meeting of the Commission, issues of mutual cooperation with international organizations and financial institutions were discussed. At the same time, approaches were agreed upon for implementing joint investment projects aimed at introducing energy- and water-saving technologies in the Aral Sea basin.

As was noted, regular meetings of specialists from water management agencies serve as a reliable instrument for strengthening trust and mutual understanding among the fraternal peoples of Central Asia. Such a format of interaction makes it possible to find balanced solutions to issues arising in connection with water distribution.

At the conclusion of the meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination, the foreign representatives expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for the hospitality shown on Turkmen soil and the high level of organization of the present event.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan