Expansion of water cooperation in Central Asia discussed in Tashkent

Bishkek, June 27, 2019. /Kabar/ Potential areas of water resources management activities in Central Asia were discussed at workshop under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program in Tashkent, the press service of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) office in Tashkent reported.
Participants stressed that cooperation among the five Central Asian countries is vital for sharing limited water resources, balancing the energy needs of upstream countries with the agricultural needs of their downstream neighbors, and search for common solutions for water resources management.
The workshop provided an opportunity to establish a dialogue, exchange experiences from other regions, such as Australia and Mekong on improving water resources management, and establish productive relationships between development partners in the water sector.
Central Asian countries share the limited water resources of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan receive the largest amount of precipitation and have the largest amount of available water resources, while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have the lowest amount of precipitation and more limited inland water resources.
Yasmin Siddiqi, Principal Water Resources Specialist, Central West Department at ADB, believes that given the low rainfall and limited availability of water in Central Asia, as well as the shared use of the region's existing water resources, water-related issues are becoming critical in the regional context.
The ADB, together with other development partners, has done significant work in the water sector. Currently, investments in the region amount to $3.6 billion. These investments are mainly aimed at flood control, irrigation and drainage construction, water supply and sanitation, hydropower and knowledge sharing.
The CAREC in 2017 included water supply and agriculture as a key component of CAREC Strategy 2030, which further increases the potential for better dialogue and participation in addressing water scarcity and productivity issues, as a step toward future cooperation on regional water resources management.
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is a partnership of 11 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and six development partners working together to promote development through cooperation that will lead to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.
The Program’s long-term vision is Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and Good Prospects.