On 26 March 2026, the first meeting of the Talas Basin Council was successfully held in Talas, marking an important milestone in advancing basin-level water governance reforms in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The meeting convened a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of national authorities, regional administrations, sectoral agencies, the scientific community, and technical experts. It served as a key platform for initiating coordinated dialogue on integrated water resources management (IWRM) at the basin level.
Among the main outcomes of the meeting was the formal discussion and approval of the Basin Council composition, ensuring inclusive representation across key sectors and regions. Participants also reached initial alignment on roles and responsibilities, while strengthening a shared understanding of basin-level governance principles.
Participants engaged in active discussions on the structure and functioning of the Basin Council. As a result, the Council members were officially approved, including representatives from regional state administrations, environmental and technical oversight bodies, emergency services, as well as hydrometeorological and water management institutions.
The discussions also highlighted several important insights. Participants demonstrated strong political and institutional commitment to advancing decentralized water governance, alongside a high level of interest from regional stakeholders to actively engage in decision-making processes. At the same time, the need for further capacity building on basin planning and IWRM tools was identified, as well as the importance of strengthening participatory governance mechanisms.
The meeting underlined the critical role of clear roles, transparency, and effective communication for the successful functioning of Basin Councils. In this context, the Talas Basin Council is expected to evolve into a key platform for coordination, dialogue, and conflict resolution among water users and institutions.
For information: The establishment of Basin Councils in Kyrgyzstan is guided by the Government Resolution of 6 April 2023, supporting the country’s transition towards integrated water resources management. The Talas Basin holds particular strategic importance due to its transboundary nature, the high dependence of agriculture on irrigation, and increasing pressures related to climate change and water variability.
