On November 4–5, 2025, in Istanbul (Türkiye), the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, headed by Deputy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov, held international consultations on the draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Kambarata-1 Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). The delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic also included Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision Asel Raimkulova, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Temirbek Erkinov.
The consultations were attended by official delegations headed by Deputy Minister of Energy Manuchehr Safarzoda (Tajikistan), Head of the Electric Power Generation Department of the Ministry of Energy Umarkhuja Nigmonov (Uzbekistan), and in online-format – Director of the Department of Electric Energy Development of the Ministry of Energy Asylzhan Musin (Kazakhstan). More than 50 representatives of national civil society organizations, research institutions, expert communities, and regional and international civil society organizations also joined the meeting online.
Purpose of the event. The purpose of the consultations was to inform international stakeholders, including from neighboring countries, about the results and proposals of the draft ESIA, to discuss possible environmental and social impacts of the Kambarata-1 HPP construction project, measures to prevent and mitigate risks, and to collect comments and suggestions from stakeholders. The consultations were aimed at ensuring transparency and open dialogue in accordance with international environmental and social best practice.
Access to information. To enable public review and comments ahead of the consultations, the following materials have been published on the official project website https://kambarata1.org since August 2025:
Consultation proceedings. Among the participants of the consultations were Mark King, Chair of the International Environmental and Social Panel of Experts, and Liliana Spasic-Gril, Chair of the International Panel of Experts on Dam Safety. The consultations were also attended by experts in social development, pasture management, cultural heritage preservation, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, gender issues, and cumulative impact assessment.
The project team and technical experts presented the main project components, the possible environmental and social impacts, and measures to minimize and mitigate them. The discussion continued in an interactive format, where participants — representatives of government bodies, civil society, and the scientific and expert community — had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions and share their proposals. Particular attention was given to issues of biodiversity conservation, socio-economic consequences for the population, safety of downstream communities, and mechanisms for stakeholder participation in subsequent stages of the project.
Next steps. All comments and suggestions received during the international consultations have been recorded and will be carefully analyzed for consideration in updating the ESIA. Moreover, in view of the regional significance of the Kambarata-1 HPP project, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic has decided to extend the period for submitting comments and proposals on the draft ESIA until December 5, 2025.
Continued openness and participation. Earlier, from October 6 to 10, 2025, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic held the second round of local consultations for five Ayil Aymaks — Atai and Kargalyk (Toguz-Toro district), Sary-Kamysh, Imanaliev, and Toluk (Toktogul district) — located within the project area. About 300 people took part in these events.
On October 15, 2025, the second round of national consultations was held in Bishkek, with the participation of around 150 stakeholders.
The Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and transparency in the implementation of the Kambarata-1 HPP project and intends to continue constructive cooperation with all stakeholders.
The consultations were attended by official delegations headed by Deputy Minister of Energy Manuchehr Safarzoda (Tajikistan), Head of the Electric Power Generation Department of the Ministry of Energy Umarkhuja Nigmonov (Uzbekistan), and in online-format – Director of the Department of Electric Energy Development of the Ministry of Energy Asylzhan Musin (Kazakhstan). More than 50 representatives of national civil society organizations, research institutions, expert communities, and regional and international civil society organizations also joined the meeting online.
Purpose of the event. The purpose of the consultations was to inform international stakeholders, including from neighboring countries, about the results and proposals of the draft ESIA, to discuss possible environmental and social impacts of the Kambarata-1 HPP construction project, measures to prevent and mitigate risks, and to collect comments and suggestions from stakeholders. The consultations were aimed at ensuring transparency and open dialogue in accordance with international environmental and social best practice.
Access to information. To enable public review and comments ahead of the consultations, the following materials have been published on the official project website https://kambarata1.org since August 2025:
- Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
- Draft Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), as part of the ESIA
- Draft Livelihood Restoration and Resettlement Framework (LRRF)
- Draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
- Draft Labor Management Procedures (LMP)
- Draft Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), as part of the ESIA
Consultation proceedings. Among the participants of the consultations were Mark King, Chair of the International Environmental and Social Panel of Experts, and Liliana Spasic-Gril, Chair of the International Panel of Experts on Dam Safety. The consultations were also attended by experts in social development, pasture management, cultural heritage preservation, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, gender issues, and cumulative impact assessment.
The project team and technical experts presented the main project components, the possible environmental and social impacts, and measures to minimize and mitigate them. The discussion continued in an interactive format, where participants — representatives of government bodies, civil society, and the scientific and expert community — had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions and share their proposals. Particular attention was given to issues of biodiversity conservation, socio-economic consequences for the population, safety of downstream communities, and mechanisms for stakeholder participation in subsequent stages of the project.
Next steps. All comments and suggestions received during the international consultations have been recorded and will be carefully analyzed for consideration in updating the ESIA. Moreover, in view of the regional significance of the Kambarata-1 HPP project, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic has decided to extend the period for submitting comments and proposals on the draft ESIA until December 5, 2025.
Continued openness and participation. Earlier, from October 6 to 10, 2025, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic held the second round of local consultations for five Ayil Aymaks — Atai and Kargalyk (Toguz-Toro district), Sary-Kamysh, Imanaliev, and Toluk (Toktogul district) — located within the project area. About 300 people took part in these events.
On October 15, 2025, the second round of national consultations was held in Bishkek, with the participation of around 150 stakeholders.
The Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and transparency in the implementation of the Kambarata-1 HPP project and intends to continue constructive cooperation with all stakeholders.