The Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions

The water resources of the Irtysh River and its tributaries play a key role in the livelihood of almost 30% of the population of Kazakhstan. For Russia, the basin is also of great importance, especially in the context of water supply for the steppe areas of the Omsk region and the city of Omsk. For China, the basin represents a strategic source of water to meet the growing needs of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In order to effectively use transboundary water resources, the three countries need to take comprehensive measures to maintain an ecologically safe level of natural flow in the face of increasing competition for water resources. The Irtysh basin needs comprehensive measures to maintain an environmentally safe level of natural flow throughout the basin under conditions of increasing competition for water resources. The main regulatory measure could be to strengthen bilateral co-operation between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as Kazakhstan and China, while taking into account the key provisions of international conventions. It is recommended that joint monitoring be implemented, that hydrological information be exchanged, that data transparency be ensured, that joint studies be conducted, and that the use of transboundary water management and transport and logistics infrastructure be coordinated and planned. Of particular interest is the initiative to create a fullfledged multimodal transport corridor connecting Russia, Kazakhstan and China. This project could assist in maintaining the optimal water balance of the Irtysh River and preserving its ecosystem. It has the potential to serve as a foundation for the development of trilateral co-operation principles.