On September 27, Pavlodar hosted the II International Forum “Irtysh – River of Friendship and Development”, attended by the Akim of East Kazakhstan Region, Nuryымbet Saktaganov.

The event brought together representatives of the regions of Kazakhstan and Russia, government agencies, the business community and experts. The programme included thematic sessions, an exhibition, B2B meetings, as well as an environmental initiative to release sturgeon species into the Irtysh River.

The participants discussed the development of trade, river logistics, cargo and passenger transportation, river tourism, as well as the preservation of the Irtysh’s water and biological resources.

East Kazakhstan Region put forward an initiative to create a “Unified Digital Passport of the Irtysh”. The proposed information system would consolidate data on the river’s hydrological characteristics and depths, water quality, shoreline conditions, fish resources, navigable sections, hydraulic structures and major sources of anthropogenic impact.

A unified system would allow regions and relevant organizations to use comparable data when planning navigation, dredging activities and port infrastructure development. To implement the initiative, it was proposed to establish a joint working group involving government agencies, regions and scientific organizations of Kazakhstan and Russia.

Particular attention was also paid to the development of river logistics. East Kazakhstan presented the prospects for establishing a river port in the village of Tugyl on Lake Zaysan. The project is currently at the development stage.

The potential infrastructure base may include the existing pier, warehouse and cargo-handling facilities, as well as the 99-kilometre Tugyl–Maykapshagai railway line.

The potential cargo base includes quartz sand, granite, crushed stone, bentonite and other bulk cargoes. Preliminary estimates indicate that the potential volume of cargo could exceed 3 million tonnes per navigation season.

The participants also discussed passenger transportation and river tourism. East Kazakhstan Region is considering opportunities to modernize its passenger fleet through cooperation with shipbuilding companies from Russia and China.

At the same time, the development of the Irtysh’s transport and economic potential should go hand in hand with environmental protection. The participants proposed jointly studying environmentally sensitive sections of the river, including spawning areas, and carrying out infrastructure works based on scientific research and environmental monitoring.

To ensure a systematic approach, it was proposed to combine initiatives related to the Unified Digital Passport of the Irtysh, cargo base assessment, development of logistics routes, scientific research and environmental monitoring into a single Roadmap with specific activities, timelines and responsible parties.

Nuryымbet Saktaganov also proposed holding the next international forum dedicated to the Irtysh in East Kazakhstan Region in 2027.

The development of the Irtysh offers opportunities to strengthen interregional ties, expand transport and tourism cooperation and implement new economic projects, while preserving the river’s water and biological resources as a key priority.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tourism-vko/press/news/details/1299769?lang=ru