The first meeting of the Naryn-Syrdarya Basin Council was successfully held on 24 March 2026 in Manas city, Kyrgyz Republic, marking an important milestone in advancing basin-level water governance in the country.
The meeting convened a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of national line ministries and agencies, regional state administrations of Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions, local self-government bodies, scientific institutions, as well as water utilities and technical services. This inclusive participation reflects a strong commitment to fostering coordinated and participatory approaches to water resources management.
The session introduced the mandate, structure, and legal basis of the Basin Council, established in accordance with the Government Resolution of 6 April 2023 on the creation of basin councils in the Kyrgyz Republic. Participants were also familiarized with key priorities in the water sector and the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which underpin efforts to ensure sustainable, efficient, and equitable use of water resources.
Particular attention was given to basin planning processes, including the development, use, and protection of water resources at the basin level. Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination mechanisms between basin management authorities and regional stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting were the formal approval of Basin Council members representing the Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions, as well as the initiation of structured dialogue on basin planning and interinstitutional coordination. Participants also engaged in an open exchange of views on current challenges in the water sector, including water allocation, infrastructure constraints, monitoring systems, and data availability and sharing.
The discussions underscored that while strong political and institutional support for basin-level governance exists, further efforts are needed to enhance coordination mechanisms, strengthen capacities in applying IWRM principles, and improve technical and methodological support for basin planning. In addition, the availability and exchange of reliable data remain critical challenges that require continued attention.
The meeting confirmed that active engagement of local authorities and stakeholders is essential for the effective implementation of basin-level governance and for achieving long-term sustainability of water resources management.
The establishment and operationalization of the Naryn-Syrdarya Basin Council represent a significant step towards the implementation of decentralized, participatory, and integrated water governance in the Kyrgyz Republic.
