ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to outline the main challenges and opportunities that countries of the Aral Sea Basin will face in their endeavours to live in a more secure and prosperous water future. A review is conducted on the increasing water demand for different uses while policies are suggested on the improvement of water security in Central Asia. A roadmap on sustainable water management in the region is introduced, while the key areas include developing a joint vision and strategic planning, improving legal frameworks and institutions, strengthening data, information and capacity, promoting evidence based decision-making and water diplomacy, harvesting the possibilities offered by infrastructure, technology and innovation, enabling multi-sectoral and participatory governance arrangements at multiple scale, paying more prominent attention to water quality and environmental degradation and recognising multiple facets and values of water.
