Uzbek president emphasizes Afghanistan’s role in regional water cooperation

At a regional water summit in Astana on Wednesday, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of involving Afghanistan in broader regional cooperation on water, climate, and environmental issues.

He underlined that Afghanistan’s participation is essential for effective management of shared water resources in Central Asia, particularly in the Aral Sea basin, where upstream and downstream countries are closely interconnected.

The Uzbek president also called for increased international support for environmental protection and land reclamation projects inside Afghanistan.

He further stressed that long-term stability in the region will depend on the development of a legal framework governing water allocation that clearly defines the rights and obligations of all countries in the basin.

Uzbekistan’s authorities have expressed concern over the construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan, saying it could “radically change the water regime and balance” in Central Asia.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), however, has said that Uzbekistan will not be harmed by the canal.