Year: 2025
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water, IWRM, Water governance, Water Security
Authors:
Countries:
Source: Государственное управление и государственная служба
Работа посвящена проблемам отсутствия частного инвестирования в развитие водно-энергетического комплекса Центральной Азии. Проанализированы результаты экономического развития стран Центральной Азии в период с 2000 по 2021 год. Изучены проблемы, существующие в данной отрасли, причины, которые могут оказать негативное воздействие на экономическое развитие центральноазиатского региона, а также определены точки роста экономики данных стран. Рассмотрено воздействие Афганистана на обеспечение водой стран, находящихся в низовьях реки Амударьи. Установлено, что в странах Центральной Азии инвестиции в развитие водно-энергетического сектора происходит в основном за счет государственных источников.
Year: 2025
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, IWRM
Authors: Gafurov A., Ziganshina Dinara, Assubayeva A., Nodir Djanibekov, Abdullaev Iskandar, Bobojonov Ihtiyor, Dombrowsky Ines, Hamidov Ahmad, Herrfahrdt-Pähle Elke, Janusz-Pawletta Barbara, Ishangulyyev Rovshen, Kasymov Ulan, Mirkasimov Bakhrom, Petrick Martin, Strobehn Katrin
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Source: water-ca.org
Political tensions over water management in the Central Asia region have intensified since the Soviet era, as ecological issues like the drying Aral Sea and seasonal hydropower disruptions impact downstream countries. The paper discusses the region’s water governance challenges, including climate-induced uncertainties, water resource demands, and the limited capacity of local research institutions. While Central Asia’s governments have initiated reforms, including new infrastructure and agreements, resilience in water management remains underdeveloped. The paper also explores the role of higher education institutions in fostering capacity-building for sustainable governance, emphasizing the need for local expertise and regional collaboration. The proposed establishment of a Central Asian water research platform aims to enhance science-policy integration, promote sustainable water governance, and support informed regional cooperation on transboundary water issues.
Year: 2025
Collections: Books
Topics: Water, IWRM, Water governance, Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation
Authors: Shafiqul Islam, Kevin Smith, Martina Klimes, Aaron Salzberg
Countries:
Source: Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy
Full book available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V8lHqDiaqrMtHnU6JP9p9SBC2rsXY8gX/view?usp=sharing
The Routledge Handbook of Water Diplomacy is a comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing water diplomacy – a framework for building relationships, negotiating shared interests, and managing complex water challenges across physical, political, and societal boundaries.
In an era marked by rising scarcity, deepening uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tension, this timely volume offers actionable insights for negotiated problem-solving grounded in both scientific understanding and diplomatic skill. Moving beyond abstract theory and technical fixes, the Handbook introduces a dual-pathway structure designed to meet the diverse needs of its users. The “Working Together” pathway invites readers to engage with water diplomacy through the lens of their roles, whether as professionals, decision-makers, funders, researchers, or affected communities. The “What Matters and Why” pathway highlights key thematic dimensions, including process design, adaptive learning, trust-building, divergent worldviews, and the management of uncertainty.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Esther Mbuci Kinyua, George William Atwoki Nyakairu, Emmanuel Tebandeke, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan
Source: https://water-ca.org/
Efficient strategies are necessary to effectively remove microplastics (MPs), which are widely present in the environment. Among various techniques, photocatalysis using visible light has emerged as a promising ap-proach to tackle the growing concerns surrounding microplastic waste.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Azamat Madibekov, Laura Ismukhanova, Askhat Zhadi, Botakoz Sultanbekova, Serik Zhumatayev, Alibek Karimov, Sergei Fokin
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
The study was conducted in 2023 and comprised a comparative assessment of the state of Lake Markakol’s aquatic ecosystems in surface and bottom water strata. The analysis of bottom water temperatures showed correlation between this parameter and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicating that pollution caused by organic impurities leads to lake eutrophication, in turn, pro-pelling the extinction of aquatic life. Although the main water physicochemical parameters of Markakol Lake correspond to the oligotrophic type, the shifts in dissolved oxygen and phos-phate content, as well as growth of aquatic vegetation indicate its transition to the mesotrophic type. Higher phosphate content in water is a consequence of pollution disturbing the biological balance, as well as stimulating the reservoir’s eutrophication and increased biological productivity, i.e. algal bloom. In addition, phosphate ions serve an informative indicator of Hazard Class 3 (organoleptically hazardous) anthropogenic pollution. Based on the correlation factor (r), two statistical models were considered for the target lake: 1) Water Pollution: nutri-ent concentrations depending on surface and bottom water temperatures (Model 1); and 2) changes in Water Pollution Indices (biogenic, heavy metals, mean) because of air temperature growth due to global warming of 0.25°C/decade (Model 2).
Year: 2024
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: IWRM, Water law, Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation
Authors: Ayşegül Kibaroğlu
Countries:
Source: Theorizing Transboundary Waters in International Relations
Water diplomacy encompasses the processes and institutions through which the national interests and identities of sovereign states are represented to one another. It is enshrined in international law, which states use to explain and justify their policies to concerned actors in the international system. States mostly prefer traditional tools of water diplomacy such as negotiation and mediation to resolve disputes in transboundary river basins.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Climate, Agriculture
Authors: Nazar Nurzoda
Countries: Tajikistan
Source: https://water-ca.org/
This study aimed to examine the efficiency of different drip irrigation regimes in spring film greenhouses for early tomato harvesting. The field (small-plot) experiment included designing and testing the watering technology suitable for rural Tajikistan. Irrigation, soil moisture, and tomato growth were followed for several seasons under four irrigation pilots. The experiments showed that the most effective drip irrigation regime for Elpida hybrid tomato was carrying it out while regulating soil moisture within 75-85%, with the irrigation demand of 4,978 m3/ha and irrigation norm of 99.0 m3/ha, also contributing to better water efficiency. The volume of irrigation water for the production of one unit of tomato crop in the second experiment was 5.73 m3/ha, i.e. 14.18% less than in the control plot. The study showed that the tomato evapotranspiration coefficient tends to increase as the threshold of soil mois-ture before and after irrigation grows. The maximum net yield amounted to 1,342 thou. Somoni/ha – 1.9 times or 52.7% higher compared to the control plot. The research findings can guide individual farmers and production facilities, as well as the overall development of agrarian economies like Tajikistan.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Sustainable Development
Authors: Catalin Stefan, Jana Sallwey, Nurlan Ongdas, Mohammad Al-Hosban
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
MAR remains relatively underutilized in Central Asia despite its potential to address water scarcity issues, particularly those related to seasonal fluctuations in water availability. Thus, the objective of this study was to produce a map depicting the potential suitability of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) implementation in Kazakhstan. Employing a multi-criteria decision analysis framework, five distinct physical criteria were integrated and visualized within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to delineate the intrinsic potential for MAR. To demonstrate the practical utility of the generated map, it was applied to the Zhambyl region in Southern Kazakhstan, an area previously afflicted by water scarcity challenges. The intrinsic MAR potential map was overlaid with remote sensing data identifying potential water sources and water utilization patterns. This overlay facilitated the identification of priority areas with potential for further evaluation for MAR implementation. The map developed for Kazakhstan represents the first spatial representation of MAR potential within the region, serving to raise awareness regarding the feasibility of MAR application. It is anticipated that dissemination of this map will enhance understanding among water management professionals, potentially catalysing the integration of MAR methodologies into regional water management strategies.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water, Climate
Authors: Айдар Жумабаев, Ханна Шведхельм, Беатрис Марти, Сильван Раджеттли, Тобиас Зигфрид
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org
Река Бадам, приток реки Арыс, входящая в состав Сырдарьинского бассейна, представляет собой важнейший природный ресурс для экологической и социально-экономической деятельности в зоне полузасушливого климата Южного Казахстана. Существенное влияние на речной бассейн оказывает искусственная водная инфраструктура. Бассейн также сталкивается с дефицитом воды, особенно летом, что подчеркивает важность понимания гидрологических процессов, происходящих в его границах, для эффективного управления водными ресурсами. В рамках настоящего исследования с целью оценки воздействия изменения климата на гидрологию и анализа устойчивости водной системы на базе гидрологического программного пакета RS MINERVE была создана полураспределенная концептуальная гидрологическая модель р. Бадам. Связанные модели HBV были реализованы для каждой из гидрологических единиц реакции, которые были определены как высотные зоны. Гидрологическая модель была откалибрована с использованием дневных временных интервалов за период с 1979 по 2011 гг. Полученные кривые вероятности превышения стока и гидрографы были использованы для оценки потенциального воздействия изменения климата на целевой бассейн с использованием сценариев осадков и температуры CMIP6. Будущие климатические сценарии на период 2054-2064 гг. указывают на смещение пикового стока на весенний/поздневесенний период по сравнению с текущим ранним летом без значительного снижения среднесуточного стока в течение года. Созданная гидрологико-гидравлического модель и результаты моделирования могут быть использованы для обеспечения эффективного управления водной системой и обоснования будущих гидроэнергетических проектов, а также могут служить основой для проведения аналогичных исследований в регионе и за его пределами.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Barakov R.Т., Sharakhmatov S.Е., Isbekov К.B., Nurtazin S.Т.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: https://water-ca.org/
The article presents the results of investigating the morphological variability of carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) in three large reservoirs of the Balkash-Alakol Basin – Lake Balkash, Lake Alakol, and Kapshagay Reservoir. Morphological differences in several features (counting and plasticity) were found in three carp samples. The study included the examination of 24 plastic and 14 counting features. The method of digital image processing (Morpho J) was applied to analyze the differences of the target fish species specimens by body shape. The application of the principal component analysis (PCA) method allowed determining the main loadings on the studied morphological traits of carp. The statistically reliable differences revealed allow to confirm the formation of morphological changes in carp caused by
the duration of adaptive radiation, environmental factors of water bodies and annual artificial stocking of young fish.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications, Review article
Topics: Water, Climate, Water governance
Authors: Susanne Schmeier, Alexandra Turgul, Melissa McCracken, Zoe H. Rosenblum, Lynette de Silva, Aaron T. Wolf
Countries:
Source: Water International, 49(3-4), 274-288
This article explores major findings and evolutions in understandings of transboundary water conflict and cooperation over the last three decades, focusing on the trends emerging from the Transboundary Freshwater Diplomacy Database. It is found that since the 1940s, countries tend to cooperate over shared water resources, in contrast to media portrayals of 'water wars'. Water conflicts, which have increased slightly since 2000, are mostly fuelled by water quantity disputes or unilateral infrastructure developments. Institutions play a role in facilitating cooperation and reducing conflict over shared waters, but their growth and adoption have slowed over the last few decades.
Year: 2024
Collections: Policy Briefs
Topics: Sustainable Development, Management
Authors: Usman Muhammad, Liebelt Peter, Catalin Stefan, Klara Dzhakypbekova
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Source:
The question of suitable approaches and technologies for more effective and environmentally friendly management of natural resources has great relevance for the countries of Central Asia in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the wide range of natural resources, Central Asia is still facing increasing land degradation and water scarcity. These problems are being accelerated by land-use pressure and climate change, which is particularly severe in Central Asia. The following recommendations are developed together with scientists from international projects on the use of GIS technologies and modelling approaches for more sustainable resource management.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Tillakarim T., Serikbay N., Satmurzayev A., Sairov S.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Source: water-ca.org
The research aimed to evaluate the possibility of applying the HBV model for assessing the flow of the Ile Alatau Mountain Range rivers. The main part of the corresponding water resources forms on the northern slopes of the Ile Alatau making them a significant water balance and water supply factor for the major cities of Almaty, Kaskelen, Talgar, and Yesik.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Climate
Authors: Isaev E., Murata Akihiko, Shin Fukui, Roy C. Sidle
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan
Source: https://water-ca.org/
Climate change poses various challenges for agriculture and water management practices in Central Asia (CA). Central to these challenges are cryosphere dynamics, fragile mountain ecosystems, and ongoing natural hazards that highlight the need for robust projections of regional climate change. For the first time, dynamic downscaling was conducted in Central Asia at a spatial resolution of 5 km.
Year: 2024
Collections: Scientific Publications
Topics: Water
Authors: Maiwand Omary, Mohammad Najim Nasimi, Mohammad Nasim Nasimi
Countries: Afghanistan
Source: https://water-ca.org
This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of Kabul Province’s groundwater for drinking by way of analyzing the data collected from 34 ground monitoring wells. The purpose was helped through the assessment of a set of groundwater physico-chemical parameters (pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS); sulfate, fluoride, nitrate, and boron content; total hardness (TH) as calcium carbonate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and total iron), as well as the determination of the Water Quality Index (WQI) developed based on sampling the water points located in the districts of Kabul Province and Kabul City in the course of 3 years (2018 to 2020) to provide a clear and concise representation of water quality status, and cat-egorize groundwater into different quality classes ranging from “excellent” to “unsuitable for drinking”. Moreover, the spatial distribution of WQI and 12 physico-chemical parameter values was mapped using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) Interpolation in Arcmap 10.7 environment, revealing distinct water quality patterns across the study area. The water qual-ity testing outcomes under this investigation show compliance of multiple water contaminant concentrations with the World Health Organization (WHO) Water Quality Guidelines and Afghanistan National Drinking Water Quality Standards (ANDWQS). The WQI values range between 27.5 and 112 (as per ANDWQS) and between 33 and 127.5 (as per WHO Guide-lines); the WQI (WHO) display 9% and WQI (ANDWQS) display 3% of groundwater unsuit-able for drinking. Spatial variation maps (IDW Interpolation) demonstate that turbidity, TDS, TH, and magnesium concentration values for the provinces’s central and eastern sec-tions exceed the permissible thresholds. The study’s findings underscore the need for target-ed groundwater management strategies, including pollution control and regular monitoring, to safeguard water quality and public health in Kabul Province.
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