Russia and Kazakhstan Near Completion of Joint Irtysh River Water Management Plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a master plan for joint water management of the Irtysh River between Russia and Kazakhstan has reached its final stages of development. Putin made the statement during Russian-Kazakh negotiations in Astana on May 28, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation on environmental protection. The president noted that both nations are making significant efforts to protect their shared environment, including the Caspian Sea ecosystem and cross-border rivers. The development of the comprehensive water management framework for the Irtysh River, a major waterway shared by the two countries, represents a key element of their environmental collaboration and resource management strategy.