Turkmensistan faces pressing water concerns
In the atmosphere of camaraderie at the recent Turko-Afghan gatherings, one tricky subject did surface – the management of water resources.
Following a March 7 declaration from the Ashgabat Foreign Ministry, it appears that discussions revolved around the need for water resource cooperation, based on international law regulations. The indirect reference seemed to allude to ongoing work on the Qosh-Tepa canal, a project that some experts predict could divert up to 20% of water from the Amu Darya River.
Wary of public hostility, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the canal's potential impact on the water balance in Central Asia during a September conference. Instead of confrontation, he proposed including Afghan regime representatives in regional talks on the management of shared water resources.
While the Turkmen stance is more tentative, their statement subtly advocates for mutual technical cooperation. Recommendations include a science-based approach to water usage, the recruitment of skilled professionals to manage the canal, and an understanding of neighboring states' interests.
With friendly overtones, the Foreign Ministry acknowledged the productive nature of their interaction with the Afghan delegation.
The diplomatic bonhomie hasn't slowed down the canal progress. Starting February 21, Afghanistan reported that the second phase of excavation was underway, with 177 kilometers scheduled to be completed over the next 12 months. The canal is projected to allow Afghanistan to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production.
This assertion might appear overly optimistic, but the grandiose rhetoric may create turbulence in regions like Kazakhstan, which is keen on building a grain terminal along Turkmenistan's eastern border for exports to Afghanistan. The idea of this facility came up during the recent Afghan-Turkmen discussions – Ashgabat confirmed plans for a 100,000-ton grain storage silo along their shared border.
Intriguingly, NewsCentralAsia hinted at unspecified media reports that raised concerns about the Qosh-Tepa Canal's absence of lining at present. Neglecting to line the canal could pose numerous environmental and structural hazards. Happily, Turkmenistan has the means to produce and utilize lining materials.
The growing cooperation in the natural gas sector between Turkey and Turkmenistan is also creating a buzz, following a March 1 memorandum. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar mentioned three potential supply avenues for Turkmen gas – through Iran via a swapping deal, via Iran and Azerbaijan again by swapping, or a long-term trans-Caspian pipeline.
These developments transpire as Turkey amplifies its influence in Central Asia via the Organization of Turkic States, with Ashgabat hosting the 15th session of the Council of Elders of the OTS on March 11. Although Turkmenistan observes the OTS in a limited capacity, there is speculation it may become a full member this year, signifying a significant commitment to these overtly political multilateral formats.
In separate news, Turkmenistan's (soon-to-be) co-president, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, met with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid on March 5. Despite human rights concerns being a core component of the OSCE's mandate, issues like freedom of speech, movement, and protection from enforced disappearance seemed to have been overlooked in their discussions. The meeting centered around climate change implications for security and stability, water management challenges, energy security, sustainable connectivity, and disaster risk reduction.
- The discussions at the recent Turko-Afghan gatherings also touched upon the need for environmental science policies and legislation, considering the potential impact of water resource management on the environment.
- In light of the Qosh-Tepa canal project, there are concerns about its environmental implications, as some news reports have hinted at the canal's absence of lining, which could lead to various environmental and structural hazards.
- As Turkey amplifies its influence in Central Asia, there is a growing emphasis on science-based approaches to solving issues like climate change and water management, as evidenced by the talks between Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Turkmenistan officials on natural gas supply avenues.
- The growing cooperation between Turkey and Turkmenistan in the natural gas sector is not only a matter of business and trade but also a cultural and political undertaking, as both nations aim to strengthen ties through scientific and technological partnership for the greater good.
- The ongoing water management discussions in Central Asia and the Middle East indicate a profound intersection of environmental science, policy and legislation, business, culture, and politics – all of which are closely linked to the science of climate change and the news surrounding its impacts on the region.
