Year: 2015
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water, IWRM, Water law, Water governance, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation
Authors: Bunyod Holmatov, Jonathan Lautze, Jusipbek Kazbekov
Countries:
Source: International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics
This research presents a systematic analysis of 123 agreements concerning small transboundary tributaries within the Syr Darya River Basin, highlighting the importance of sub-basin cooperation in Central Asia. The study identifies a significant increase in treaty-making activity during the first decade of the 21st century, demonstrating that local-level cooperation can remain effective even when basin-wide cooperation faces challenges. Most of the analyzed agreements are regulatory in nature and focus on technical issues, including water allocation, operation and maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure, and the management of shared water resources.
Year: 2017
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water, Climate, IWRM, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation
Authors: Sarah Hummel
Countries:
Source: International Studies Quarterly
This scientific article examines the impact of relative water scarcity on international relations in the Aral Sea Basin. The author distinguishes between absolute water scarcity, determined by the overall availability of water resources, and relative water scarcity, defined as temporary deviations from normal water availability within a specific river basin. Based on an analysis of hydrological and political data from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya river basins in Central Asia, the study concludes that short-term water shortages stimulate states to take more active policy actions. The findings demonstrate that periods of water scarcity increase the likelihood of both cooperative and conflictual interactions among neighboring countries. This suggests that states employ a variety of foreign policy instruments to address transboundary water challenges under conditions of resource variability. The results highlight the importance of considering climate variability when assessing and forecasting transboundary water disputes and cooperation.
Year: 2014
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water, Transboundary Water Resources, Hydropower
Authors: Sonoko Ito, Sameh El Khatib, Mikiyasu Nakayama
Countries: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
Source: International Journal of Water Resources Development
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Central Asian countries struggled to reach an agreement on the use of their shared fresh water resources. The conflict between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan regarding construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant in the Amu Darya Basin seems deadlocked at present, despite copious efforts made by donor agencies. Therefore, this paper examines each country’s position using the numbers featured in the media.
Year: 2013
Collections: Research Paper
Topics: Water, IWRM, Transboundary Water Resources
Authors: Shokhrukh-Mirzo Jalilov, Saud A. Amer, Frank A. Ward
Countries:
Source: Eurasian Geography and Economics
This article explores opportunities for water scarcity to motivate neighboring nations in transboundary basins to cooperate in the development and allocation of water. Climate change raises the importance of discovering foundations for this cooperation. The authors examine the development of infrastructure and allocation of water in the controversial Amu Darya Basin.
Year: 2019
Collections: Conferences
Topics: Water governance, Water diplomacy, Transboundary Water Resources, Transboundary cooperation, Hydropolitics
Authors: B. A. Krasnoyarova, Y. I. Vinokurov, T. V. Antyufeeva
Countries:
Source: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
This article examines the complex challenges of water management in the transboundary Irtysh River Basin shared by China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The authors emphasize that intensive water withdrawals by China and ongoing infrastructure development in Kazakhstan are contributing to water resource depletion and ecosystem degradation, particularly in the downstream reaches of the river. The study discusses proposed inter-basin water transfer projects aimed at addressing water scarcity, as well as the environmental risks associated with industrial pollution. Particular attention is given to Russia’s limited engagement in transboundary water governance and the need to establish trilateral institutional mechanisms for the joint management of shared water resources. The authors argue that achieving international consensus is essential to preventing further ecological deterioration of the basin. The study concludes by advocating a shift from isolated technical solutions toward an integrated transboundary water governance framework.
For questions about cooperation, please contact us at: