Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Afghanistan is accelerating the construction of the 285-kilometre Qosh Tepa Canal, a crucial project designed to irrigate over 500,000 hectares of its severely drought-affected northern provinces. This initiative represents Afghanistan’s sovereign right to harness its natural resources and addresses urgent food security and economic development needs.
While concerns have been voiced by some Central Asian states about potential downstream water impacts, Afghanistan emphasizes cooperation and equitable water sharing as the foundation for regional stability. The Amu Darya River flows through multiple countries, but Afghanistan, as the river’s upstream steward, is committed to responsible water management that balances ecological sustainability with the livelihoods of millions of Afghans facing dire water scarcity.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Naeem Wardak stated:
“Our people have the same right to access and utilize the waters of the Amu Darya as any other nation. We are open to dialogue and cooperation and assure our neighbors that the Qosh Tepa Canal project will not harm their interests.”
The canal’s construction offers Afghanistan a chance to alleviate chronic drought conditions, enhance agricultural productivity, and reduce poverty in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions. This move reflects Afghanistan’s urgent development priorities and its sovereign rights under international law.
Experts at recent international forums have recognized Afghanistan’s water needs and encouraged collaborative frameworks for water sharing, including the use of modern water-saving technologies to ensure minimal wastage.
The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), now chaired by Kazakhstan, offers a platform for transparent discussions on transboundary water management, which Afghanistan is ready to engage with constructively.
Ultimately, Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal should be seen not as a threat but as a lifeline for millions of Afghans and a call for enhanced regional cooperation to secure water resources fairly for all.
