OSCE promotes transboundary water co-operation in Chu-Talas River Basin
A working group meeting on environmental protection under the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Chu-Talas Water Commission (Commission) took place on 18 November 2021 in Almaty. The meeting was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan (POiN) and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) in close co-operation with the Commission.
In April, July and October, the two OSCE Programme Offices supported research conducted by territorial units of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan’s Hydro-Meteorological services, which included carrying out tests and a follow-up water samples analysis at the Chu-Talas River Basins in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region and Kyrgyzstan’s Chu and Talas regions. The samples were taken from 16 different sites in both countries, and involved 17 different tests to identify possible contaminants.
Some 32 water specialists from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan discussed the results of the laboratory water quality assessment and examined opportunities for future collaboration. They agreed to prepare a joint annual report on water quality and joint hydro meteorological indicators. Based on the laboratory results, a national expert delivered a presentation of the final report on water quality in the basin, which was shared as part of a data exchange initiative between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. According to the results of water samples collection for 2021 compared to 2020, no significant changes in the quality of surface waters of the Chu and Talas rivers were recorded. High and extremely high pollution was not found.
Participants also learned about the findings and recommendations of a separate OSCE-supported study on needs assessment for the conservation of wetlands in the Chu River Basin. This study, supported by the POiN, was implemented from July to November 2021 in co-operation with the Association for the Biodiversity Conservation of Kazakhstan and four national experts specializing on ichthyofauna, ornithology, geobotany and hydrology. The study developed a preliminary assessment of the condition of wetlands in the lower reaches of the Chu river basin, with a follow-up action plan to maintain the sustainable development of ecosystems in the area.
The Chu-Talas Water Commission promotes bilateral co-operation between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and aims to improve access to information by involving stakeholders in the process of river management and by promoting activities for the protection of water ecosystems.
The event is part of multi-year efforts by the POiB and POiN to raise awareness and to build the capacity of state institutions in the area of water governance by contributing to transboundary dialogue on managing water resources.