The 52nd meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) took place in Ashgabat on 5 December. Heads and senior specialists of water management bodies of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting.

The meeting discussed the results of vegetation period of 2008 as well as water supply limits and routine work of cascades of water reservoirs in the basins of the region largest rivers - Amudariya and Syrdariya. Particular attention was paid to issues of efficient exchange of information on the real state of affairs on the territories controlled by the parties.

The meeting agenda also included the issue of creating a regional training network of specialists of high and senior level for water management, energy and environmental organizations of Central Asian countries on the basis of the ICWC's training center and its branches. The meeting decided to request European partner-countries to provide assistance in implementing this project, the Turkmen State News Agency (TDH) said.

Representatives of Central Asian countries also discussed the draft agreement "On the use of water and energy resources of Syrdariya river." It was agreed that the final version of the agreement would be adopted at a meeting of heads of water and energy organizations of Central Asian countries as well as representatives of regional and national working groups, which were involved in drafting this document, to be held in Bishkek.

The meeting also discussed other organizational issues. A protocol was signed on the result of the meeting. The sides agreed that the 53rd meeting of the ICWC would be held in Tajikistan in April 2009.