President Sadyr Japarov has signed the Water Code of the Kyrgyz Republic into law, marking a significant reform in the governance of the country’s water resources. The law, adopted by the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) on April 30, 2025, is scheduled to come into force six months after its official publication.
The new Water Code consolidates and modernizes existing legislation concerning the use, protection, and management of both surface and underground water resources, as well as lands classified under the country’s water fund. It is designed to improve legal clarity and strengthen institutional efficiency in regulating this vital sector.
Among its key features, the Code provides clearer and more comprehensive definitions for terms used in the field of water regulation. It also merges the provisions of two previously enacted laws — “On Water” and “On the Interstate Use of Water Bodies, Water Resources and Water Management Facilities of the Kyrgyz Republic” — which are now rendered void under the new legislation.
The Code streamlines the institutional landscape by designating specific state bodies to manage various aspects of water use and protection. It delineates the responsibilities of these authorities to avoid duplication and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies. In this context, previous norms that governed the activities of the now-defunct state water administration have been excluded.
Furthermore, the law clearly separates the functions of the authorized state body for water resources from those of the body responsible for water management infrastructure. It also reinforces the need to apply a basin-based approach in managing water resources — a practice aligned with international standards and aimed at ensuring sustainable and equitable water use.
Another major reform introduced by the Code is the establishment of new standards for issuing and operating permits for the use of surface and groundwater. These measures are expected to improve monitoring, transparency, and accountability in water consumption.
Government officials believe the updated Water Code will enhance the sustainable use of water, improve cross-border cooperation, and support environmental protection efforts.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the new law and coordinating with other agencies to ensure an effective rollout.
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