ABSTRACT
The countries of Central Asia (CA) are still transitioning from a centralized water management system inherited from Soviet times, toward the establishment of national water institutions and policies. Common hurdles are met in all CA countries, such as that a multitude of entities are in charge of water resources management; implementation of water reforms is challenging in all CA countries; water resources management issues require continuous attention; local water management is a priority, but achievements are mixed as of today. While integrated water resources management (IWRM) is the main approach to undertake water reforms in each CA country, other objectives like the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the introduction of the green growth concept, the integration of climate change policies, and the adoption of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus concept are also driving toward water reforms on national level. Various initiatives have been taken for reforming the water sector in CA, like the gradual establishment of river basin management approaches in all CA countries, the WEF assessment of the Syr Darya River, the development of the green growth project in Kazakhstan for efficient water use, the creation of a national water information system in Kyrgyzstan, the engagement of development partners in each newly designed basin in Tajikistan, and the creation of a Multi-Partner Human Security Trust-Fund for the Aral Sea region (MPHSTF) in Uzbekistan. However, reforming the water sector goes well beyond adopting new policies and initiatives, updating the legislative framework, and building new institutions. The key challenges are the continuous and strong high-level political engagement of all CA countries to better coordinate water management at national and transboundary level, active participation of stakeholders on Basin level, and technical and financial support of the relevant authorities and organizations that are implementing the water reforms.
