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Information on the implementation of the second phase of the project "Regulation of the Syrdarya Riverbed and preservation of the northern part of the Aral Sea" (RRSSAM-2)

During a working trip to the Kyzylorda region on May 14, 2019, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K.Tokayeva instructed the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to take measures in accordance with the established procedure to implement the components of the second phase of the project "Regulation of the Syrdarya Riverbed and preservation of the northern part of the Aral Sea" (hereinafter - RRSSAM-2).
Due to the fact that the procedures for attracting a World Bank loan were delayed by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it was decided to start implementing the 4 components of the I stage of the RRSSAM-2 project at the expense of the republican budget (without a World Bank loan).
Due to the fact that 4 of the 6 components of the RRSSAM-2 project will be implemented at the expense of the republican budget, the World Bank, based on discussions and consultations, presented a new approach to the integrated development of the Kazakh part of the Syrdarya River basin and the northern Aral Sea, and also proposed to change the name of the RRSSAM-2 project to "Regional Development Project development and restoration of the northern part of the Aral Sea" (hereinafter referred to as the Project) with the inclusion of additional components to improve the socio-economic development of the region.
The second phase of the RRSSAM project will be implemented as part of a new Project to be funded by the World Bank. The preliminary cost of the project is about 190 million US dollars.
To date, the World Bank has allocated a grant for the development of a feasibility study of the project in the amount of 1.5 million US dollars.
The project consists of 3 components and is aimed at achieving the following key results:
- improving the volume and quality of water accumulation in the Northern Aral Sea up to 40 km3;
- development of fisheries by supporting the reproduction and processing of fish products;
- improvement of environmental monitoring and management of water resources of the Northern Aral Sea;
- reducing the removal of salt deposits from the bottom of the Aral Sea by installing protective forest belts;
- development of ecological tourism.
On July 15, 2020, an agreement was signed with the international consulting company "Yekom Consulting Engineers" (hereinafter referred to as the Consultant) to develop a feasibility study of the Project.
Currently, in order to fulfill the President's instructions, the Consultant, together with the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, is working on the development of a feasibility study of the Project.
At the same time, during the development of the feasibility study of the project, a final decision will be made on several options for increasing the level of the Northern Aral Sea.