The joint use of transboundary water resources and
measures on further solution of environmental and socio-economic issues in the
Aral Sea basin were discussed at a meeting between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas
Bektenov and the heads of delegations of the Central Asian countries on the
instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The parties held negotiations
within the first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the
Aral Sea. Notably, Kazakhstan has been elected as the chair of this organization
for the next two years, and there are many tasks ahead. According to Bektenov,
it is necessary to work out water and energy cooperation mechanisms, introduce
digital technologies, and utilize satellite remote sensing data. The interests
of all parties should be taken into account. It is also necessary to develop a
unified automated system for accounting, monitoring, management and
distribution of water resources in the Aral Sea basin. All this will allow to
prevent electricity shortage in the autumn-winter period and irrigation water
in summer.