The hydropolitics of the Central Asian countries: challenges and opportunities
DOI:
10.48010/f6gpar34Keywords
Water Policy, Transboundary Rivers, Cooperation, Hydropower, Central Asia, the Aral Sea.
Abstract
The article provides an analysis of the current state and evolution of water resource policies in Central Asian countries. The study examines the historical prerequisites of these policies and the states’ efforts to address a complex of interconnected challenges. The analytical framework is based on legal acts and diplomatic agreements adopted over the three decades since independence. The primary regional institutions coordinating national water strategies are the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and its structural bodies – specifically the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC). The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) provide the basic guidance for the states. In addition to regional efforts, significant contributions are made by international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the European Union.
The last decade has been marked by a transformation of water policy within each regional state, accompanied by an intensification of bilateral and trilateral diplomatic dialogues. The parties’ objectives include coordinating water withdrawasl from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, implementing innovative agricultural technologies (primarily drip irrigation), modernizing infrastructure, and advancing digitalization. Cooperation further extends to hydropower production and the optimization of water consumption. A pivotal step has been the adoption of state policies by Central Asian governments aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Overall, the joint management of water resources serves as a powerful platform for fostering regional integration and strengthening economic and political cooperation.
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References
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