Regulatory Initiatives of Central Asian Countries in Addressing Transboundary Water Issues

After the collapse of the USSR the Central Asian countries found themselves facing serious regional challenges that hinder constructive interstate cooperation. Among such challenges the problem of transboundary water resources should be highlighted. The lack of a coordinated policy for regulating water flows continues to put the Central Asian countries in a vulnerable position, negatively affecting their national security, socio-economic development and the environmental situation in the region. Throughout their sovereign development the countries of the region tried to solve transboundary water problems by combining external and internal mechanisms. However, a solution to the problem that would meet the national interests of all interested countries was not found.

Recently the ruling elites of the Central Asian countries have intensified the process of solving the water problem showing political will. They put forward a number of initiatives. A big role in reviving this issue belongs to Uzbekistan which has opened a new milestone in the settlement of water and energy conflicts in the region. Uzbekistan demonstrates a desire to solve the water problem constructively at the regional level. In this regard the proposals of the President of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyoyev acquired great importance in solving the transboundary water problems of Central Asia. In 2018 Sh. Mirziyoyev put forward the initiative to adopt a Regional program for the rational use of water resources in Central Asia. Shortly before that he expressed a desire to participate in the implementation of joint hydropower projects with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Analyzing the current shifts in the water and energy issue we can talk about increasing trust between the countries of Central Asia and the beginning of the formation of a new regional interstate model of relations on the distribution of transboundary water resources.