Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia: Examples and Modes Dr. Iskandar Abdullaev

Transboundary Cooperation: pre-conditions Transboundary river systems: source of water and links riparian states Transboundary infrastructure of requires coordination and joint operation Water allocation: coordination and cooperation of national water-energy and other relevant agencies

Transboundary cooperation: challenges Soviet system- collapsed, new system captures mostly allocation principles and institutions National interests and plans – differ from each other and compete for transboundary water (timing, volume, quality) Regional organizations are focused on large river systems. Small transboundary water courses are outside of cooperation network

Transboundary cooperation: challenges Water is a key element of socio-economic development in the region: Arid climate requires irrigation for food production Hydro-energy is untapped potential for energy production Environment is struggling due to long ignorance Nation building in five Central Asian states have been a key process determining regional processes, including water cooperation

Transboundary cooperation: challenges Transboundary river systems: source of water and potential tensions: Upstream and downstream: energy vs. irrigation, quantities, timing (Rogun, Kambar Ata cascades of hydro-stations vs. water- environmental consequences) Transboundary infrastructure: requires coordination and joint operation: Operation mode (energy vs. irrigation), cost of Operation and maintenance, joint planning and operation Water allocation: coordination and cooperation of national water-energy and other relevant agencies: Allocation principles, long-term agreements, conventions- international rules

Transboundary cooperation: challenges (SDC. 2002)

Transboundary cooperation: analysis Legal background: 1992 agreement (prolongation of Soviet arrangements) UNECE Convention (3 out 5 countries are signatories) Basin agreements (short-lived) Institutional Set up: Regional water- environment cooperation organizations Rotational nature Self-funding, sectoral scattered

Transboundary cooperation: approaches and instruments Transboundary approaches: Exchange: water for fuel/energy Compensation for water releases Water-energy consortium(s) Regional vs. bilateral Transboundary cooperation instruments: Data and Information exchange Joint capacity building Joint project implementation (ASBP’s)

Transboundary cooperation: approaches and instruments Countries water policies, interests Regional water system Socio-political system, economic, agricultural and other sectorial policies National water system Land and water rights, de-collectivization Everyday water management Global processes Challenges

Transboundary cooperation: examples Chu-Talas: Operation and maintenance oriented cooperation Institutionally structured and long-term Internationally well known, “best practice” Isfara: Legal basis for cooperation Open for other party (-ies) More of IWRM elements: institutions, long-term planning

Transboundary cooperation: regional organizations ICWC- water allocation: Seasonal water allocation Research and practical aspects of WRM ICSD- sustainability: Inter-sectoral, environmental and development Regional Environmental Programme (Regional Environmental Programme for Central Asia) EC IFAS: Aral Sea problem and overcoming Aral Sea Basin Programmes

Transboundary cooperation: instruments Capacity building and technical level of interventions, skilled professionals Information and data management Joint institutions: organizational instruments Planning: basin plans capacities and methodologies Trust building and joint working groups (thematic)

Transboundary cooperation: instruments Water systems of all levels are interlinked: Deterioration in local level will have a negative impact on national and regional levels and vice-versa Improvements of local and national level water management and governance will enhance regional cooperation Countries may enhance regional cooperation through: Regional level, multi-country cooperation Bi- lateral and specifically focused cooperation International obligations, conventions Local and national plans on water improvements

Transboundary cooperation:cost or opportunity Costs of limited cooperation are very significant Pressures on water resources are rising Default means increasing risks and costs; but default is not destiny But opportunities for improved cooperation & its’ potential economic benefits are enormous!

Transboundary cooperation: outlook Prolongation of soviet period water allocation principles, setting up regional institutions- water a technical issue 1990’s- 2000’s Seeking new arrangements and agreements, increase of contestation of water cooperation principles – water economic and political issue starting from 2000’s until recently Search for pragmatic and effective solutions, difficult dialogues- water a security issue Since 2015

Transboundary cooperation: outlook Regional cooperation in Central Asia: is a none-linear process and transformed due course of development of CA countries and currently it is more of pragmatic nature soviet period water cooperation have been part of socio-economic and political system and can not be reproduced/replicated in current context Socio-economic and political transformations (reforms) in Central Asian countries have produced new relationships at the regional level Water cooperation depends on socio-economic systems and political nature of the CA states