AGP Executive Report

Hydropower Plans: Uzbekhydroenergo and China Energy International discussed investment, technology upgrades and new projects to expand Uzbekistan’s hydropower capacity. Shared Water: Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal could draw heavily on the Amu Darya, raising concerns for downstream Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, especially in dry years. A regional agreement on data-sharing, drought rules and efficient water use is urged. Nature Protection: A UNESCO workshop in Almaty brought Central Asian and Mongolian site managers together to strengthen protection of natural World Heritage sites, with a focus on cooperation across borders. Climate and the Aral Sea: Uzbek and German parliamentarians agreed to deepen cooperation on climate change and water management, and to review the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region.

Shared Water: Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal is reviving questions over Amu Darya water rights. The project could draw up to 10 billion cubic metres, raising concerns for downstream Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan; the analysis calls for shared data, drought rules and an inclusive basin agreement. Climate Pressure: Shifting snowmelt and glacier loss are changing when water reaches Central Asian rivers, a challenge for Kazakhstan and downstream users across the region. Regional Water Deals: Central Asian states have agreed water allocations and reservoir operations for 2026–27, while developing a shared approach to Amu Darya and Syr Darya cooperation. Uzbekistan Projects: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project. Regional officials also discussed circular economy, climate and investment in Dushanbe. Local Lakes: A feature on Lake Tuzkan in Jizzakh highlights how fishing and tourism support nearby communities around the Aydar-Arnasay lake system.

Water Security: A new report warns that climate change is shifting snowmelt and river-flow peaks, making water storage and forecasting increasingly important across Central Asia. Regional states have also agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, though national quotas remain unclear. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project. Local Nature: Lake Tuzkan in Jizzakh sustains fishing and tourism, while its fragile desert-lake setting draws visitors seeking a natural escape. Climate Monitoring: Kyrgyzstan says its new nanosatellite will track crop conditions, drought risks and glaciers, adding regional data that could support environmental planning. Regional Cooperation: Central Asian countries have discussed circular-economy, climate and investment priorities in Dushanbe.

Lake Tuzkan: Fishing and tourism support communities around Jizzakh’s desert lake, where the water offers a striking contrast to the surrounding dry steppe. Circular Economy: Central Asian officials, including Uzbekistan’s, discussed climate investment, waste management and reforms at a regional dialogue in Dushanbe. Shared Water: Central Asian states agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, a key step in managing shared rivers amid growing pressure on water supplies. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million project to improve waste services.

Water Infrastructure: Uzbekistan, Saudi firm Miahona and Franklin Templeton reviewed drinking-water and wastewater projects in Fergana and Jizzakh, and explored further work in Karakalpakstan. Regional Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, while officials in Dushanbe discussed climate action, circular-economy reforms and investment, with Uzbek representatives among those taking part. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank advanced a $112 million waste-management project, a major investment in the country’s environmental services. Climate-Smart Farming: At a conference in Karshi, a Pakistani agriculture professor urged closer Uzbekistan-Pakistan cooperation on water scarcity, climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture, including wider access to digital tools for farmers.

Water Projects: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia’s Miahona and Franklin Templeton reviewed drinking-water and wastewater projects in Fergana and Jizzakh, with steps agreed to speed delivery and improve coordination. Hydropower: ADB-backed dredging at Kyrgyzstan’s Uch-Kurgan plant aims to recover reservoir capacity lost to sediment; the contract includes test dredging and environmental assessment. Regional Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, while broader cooperation on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya remains vital as rivers decline and glaciers melt. Clean Energy: AIIB grants will fund feasibility work for a Caspian power cable expected to link Uzbekistan, plus planning for offshore wind infrastructure; environmental impacts will be assessed. Monitoring and Waste: Kyrgyzstan says its new satellite will track crops, drought and glaciers. Separately, Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project.

Water Infrastructure: Uzbekistan, Miahona and Franklin Templeton reviewed drinking-water and wastewater projects in Fergana and Jizzakh, and discussed speeding up delivery; Karakalpakstan is also being explored for future work. Hydropower and Rivers: ADB-backed procurement is underway for dredging equipment at Kyrgyzstan’s Uch-Kurgan plant on the Naryn River. The work aims to recover reservoir capacity lost to sediment and includes test dredging and environmental-assessment requirements. Regional Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, though national quotas remain unclear. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya remain central to regional cooperation as water pressures grow. Waste and Clean Energy: Uzbekistan and the ADB advanced a $112 million waste-management project, while Uzbekistan proposed a low-carbon energy concept with regional partners.

Climate Cooperation: A Sindh Agriculture University professor urged Pakistan and Uzbekistan to deepen research partnerships on climate-smart farming, water management and efficient irrigation, saying science should deliver practical benefits for farmers. Regional Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water use and reservoir operations for 2026–27, while national quotas remain unclear. Irrigation: A World Bank- and EU-backed project in Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Valley modernized canals and control systems, cutting the local water deficit by 20% and improving supplies across more than 100,000 hectares. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project.

Water Security: Uzbekistan’s rising population and water-intensive agriculture are putting pressure on shared rivers. Central Asian states have agreed on Amu Darya and Syr Darya withdrawals and reservoir operations for autumn and winter 2026–27, but national quotas remain unpublished. Growing Demand: With the population nearing 40 million and agriculture using about 90% of the country’s water, improving irrigation efficiency is critical; a Ferghana Valley project has already cut the local water deficit by 20%. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project. Clean Energy: Uzbekistan has proposed a low-carbon energy concept with Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, as regional partners explore a green electricity corridor linking the Caspian and Central Asia.

Green Energy: Azerbaijan secured $1.1 million in AIIB grants for a Caspian wind-power study and a proposed green energy corridor linking Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water limits and reservoir plans for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya for autumn and winter, but have not published country-by-country quotas. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste management project. Climate: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest September on record, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. Aral Region: A study in Karakalpakstan explored whether a simple blood-test index could help identify diabetes risk in a population living amid the Aral Sea’s long-running environmental damage.

Water Cooperation: Central Asian states agreed on water-use limits and reservoir plans for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya in 2026–27, but country-by-country quotas remain undisclosed. Cleaner Energy and Waste: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project. Tashkent also proposed a regional low-carbon energy concept, while AIIB grants will help prepare a green-energy corridor linking Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Climate Pressure: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest on record, underlining the growing strain on water and agriculture. Biodiversity: Wild tulips across Central Asia are becoming rare, experts warn.

Water Cooperation: Central Asian states agreed on autumn–winter 2026–27 water limits and reservoir schedules for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, but country-by-country allocations remain unpublished. The deal comes as river flows face pressure from irrigation needs, melting glaciers and Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal. Clean Energy: Uzbekistan proposed a regional low-carbon energy plan, while Azerbaijan secured $1.1 million in AIIB grants to study offshore wind infrastructure and a green power corridor linking Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank are advancing a $112 million waste-management project. Ecosystems: Kazakhstan is stepping up efforts to restore the Aral Sea and protect the Caspian, both shared environmental priorities for the region.

Green Energy: AIIB-backed grants will support work on a Caspian green-energy corridor linking Central Asia with Azerbaijan, alongside plans for offshore wind infrastructure. At the regional summit in Avaza, Uzbekistan proposed a joint low-carbon energy plan for Central Asia and Azerbaijan. Water Security: Central Asian states agreed on water distribution and reservoir operations for 2026–27 and called for a shared approach to Amu Darya and Syr Darya cooperation, as climate change and declining river flows intensify pressure on water supplies. Waste Management: Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank advanced a $112 million waste-management project. Nature: Kazakhstan is stepping up efforts to restore the Aral Sea and protect the Caspian ecosystem.

Regional Water: Central Asian states agreed on water distribution and reservoir operations for the 2026–27 non-growing season, while officials outlined a shared approach to managing the Amu Darya and Syr Darya as climate pressures grow. Green Energy: At the Awaza summit, Uzbekistan’s president proposed coordinating low-carbon energy plans and digitalizing water management; the joint declaration backed work on exporting Central Asian green energy to Europe via Azerbaijan. Aral and Caspian Seas: Kazakhstan says the North Aral has grown 36% over 20 years. A planned Kokaral Dam upgrade aims to raise water levels, alongside expanded saxaul planting on the dried seabed and regional work to protect the Caspian. Nature and Health: A workshop in Karakalpakstan brought environmental, veterinary and scientific experts together to identify ways to reduce disease risks where people, livestock and wildlife share habitats. Wildlife: More than half of assessed wild tulip species are threatened, with Central Asia home to most of those reviewed.

Regional Water: Central Asian states agreed on Amu Darya and Syr Darya water allocations and reservoir operations for the 2026–27 non-growing season, while setting a shared direction for climate-resilient river management. Aral Recovery: Kazakhstan says the North Aral Sea has grown 36% in area over 20 years; a planned Kokaral Dam upgrade aims to raise water levels, alongside saxaul planting on the dry seabed. Health and Ecosystems: A workshop in Karakalpakstan brought environmental, veterinary and scientific experts together to identify ways to reduce disease risks where people, livestock and wildlife share habitats. Nature Protection: More than half of the 62 assessed wild tulip species are threatened; Central Asia is home to most of them, including species found in the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay. Greener Airports: ACI Europe launched its 2030 sustainability strategy in Tashkent, widening airport priorities to include climate resilience, biodiversity and resource use.

Aral Sea Recovery: Kazakhstan says the North Aral Sea has nearly doubled its water volume in 20 years. A planned Kokaral Dam upgrade aims to expand it further, while saxaul planting covers 1.1 million hectares of the dried seabed. The Syr Darya also links these efforts to Uzbekistan’s water future. Water and Land: Central Asian river flows are falling as glaciers retreat. In Kyrgyzstan, a four-year project will restore at least 264 hectares in the Syr Darya basin, helping protect land and water used downstream. Wildlife and Health: More than half of assessed wild tulip species are threatened, with Central Asia’s mountain varieties under pressure from grazing and a warming, drying climate. In Karakalpakstan, a new workshop is bringing environmental, veterinary and scientific experts together to prevent diseases spreading from animals to people.