Kazakhstan and Russia agree Irtysh plan, await China's position

September 17, 2026 at 02:57 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan and Russia have agreed on a joint action plan for the Irtysh River, with a detailed schedule and cost estimates for each stage. The two countries are now working to hold trilateral consultations with China at the level of relevant ministries. The plan covers water management, energy infrastructure, and environmental security.

Key Facts

A joint Russian-Kazakh working group has prepared a plan of action for water management and water-energy use of the Irtysh River.
The parties have defined each side's area of responsibility and prepared a calendar schedule with detailed work, deadlines, and cost of each stage.
Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov announced the plan in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
The master plan will be formalized as a scientific research work, according to Kozlov.
In May 2026, Vladimir Putin said after talks with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that the master plan was in its final stage.

The Irtysh Plan

A joint Russian-Kazakh working group with scientists from both countries is developing a master plan for the joint use of the Irtysh River. The parties have defined zones of responsibility and prepared a schedule detailing the work, deadlines, and cost of each stage. The plan aims to improve water and environmental security and develop energy infrastructure. The master plan will be formalized as a scientific research work.

Trilateral Consultations

Kazakhstan, China, and Russia are working on holding trilateral consultations on the joint use of the Irtysh River. Russian Minister Alexander Kozlov said the consultations would be at the level of relevant ministries to discuss cooperation prospects on the Irtysh. The Irtysh originates in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and water intake on Chinese territory affects downstream conditions in Kazakhstan and Russia. In 2024, the three countries held preliminary talks on concluding a trilateral agreement.

Project Timeline

In May 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after negotiations with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that the master plan was in its final stage. Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources later clarified that the development would be completed by 2028. Earlier, Kazakhstan and Russia signed a protocol covering more than 30 areas of cooperation, including economy, agriculture, sports, digitalization, and youth policy.