Afghanistan Asserts Water Rights as Qosh Tepa Canal Progresses Amid Regional Drought Fears

Afghan officials urge regional water cooperation while advancing the Qosh Tepa Canal. Learn about the impact on the Amu Darya and Central Asian agriculture.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 10:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Central Asia

A Confrontation of Necessity at Tashkent Water Week

The recent Tashkent Water Week forum served as a critical meeting ground for regional stakeholders facing a worsening hydrological crisis. Central Asia and Afghanistan are currently weathering a decade defined by recurring droughts, with 2026 projected to be another year of severe water scarcity. The focal point of the two day summit was the presence of the Afghan delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Water and Energy Mujeeb ur Rahman Omar, who addressed the growing anxieties surrounding the Qosh Tepa Canal. The project, a 285 kilometer long artery, is designed to transform the agricultural landscape of northern Afghanistan but threatens the delicate water balance of its northern neighbors.

The "Fair Share" Argument and International Law

During the forum, Omar reiterated the Taliban government’s stance that Afghanistan has historically used a disproportionately small volume of water from the Amu Darya basin compared to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. He argued that under international law, Afghanistan maintains an equal right to develop these resources for the benefit of its citizens. However, a significant legal vacuum persists; because Central Asian governments do not officially recognize the Taliban administration, no formal regional water use treaties can be signed. This lack of a legal framework leaves downstream nations vulnerable to unilateral water diversion once the canal is completed in 2028.

Projected Impact on Downstream Communities

The technical specifications of the Qosh Tepa Canal—100 meters wide and 8.5 meters deep—allow for the diversion of up to 20% of the Amu Darya’s flow. Environmental and hydrological experts warn that such a significant withdrawal could spell the end for numerous farming communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. These regions, located on the periphery of the Kara Kum Desert, are already suffering from diminished precipitation and record high temperatures. While Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev, has conceded Afghanistan’s right to its share of the water, the lack of a collaborative management plan continues to heighten tensions.