Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Constructive cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will contribute to solving common problems related to climate change and water scarcity. This point of view was expressed by the chief researcher of the International Institute of Central Asia Elena Tsai at a video conference on the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, organized on 13 March by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to her, the visit showed that relations between the countries have risen to a new level, especially on issues that have not been resolved for decades. Breakthrough agreements were reached that meet the interests of the Uzbek and Kyrgyz peoples. In particular, the heads of state confirmed their mutual readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of water use and energy.

In order to practically implement the agreements reached, during the summit meeting, issues related to projects for the construction and joint operation of hydropower facilities in the Kyrgyz Republic on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation, taking into account the interests of water use and energy, were discussed.

Another confirmation of these intentions, the expert believes, is the signing of a protocol on mutual supplies of electricity between the relevant ministries of the two countries. The parties reached an agreement on the supply in 2021-2023 of electricity in the amount of up to 750 million Wh. These measures, during the period of low water and a significant reduction in the region's water resources, will help prevent the release of the Toktogul reservoir to a critical level and provide irrigation water to Uzbek agricultural consumers during the corresponding growing season.

Thus, Elena Tsai emphasized, the heads of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan during the meeting reinforced the dialogue on issues of water and energy cooperation. The expert emphasized that the integrated and efficient use of water and energy resources by the countries of Central Asia is a key factor in their sustainable development, ensuring common approaches to anticipate the challenges and risks associated with climate change and water scarcity.

More than 20 prominent scientists and experts from leading research institutes and analytical centers of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, such as the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Pikir Regional Experts Club, Research Network of Central Eurasia ”, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Kyrgyz National University attended the event, which was organized by the ISMI.

The Uzbek side at the event was represented by leading analysts from the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISMI) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, the International Institute of Central Asia, the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations.