The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia has issued a new publication on “Early Warning on Potential Trans-boundary Water Problem Situations in Central Asia”.

Central Asian states are actively strengthening the capacity of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) to provide trans-boundary water management services with support from many international organizations. There are currently multiple sources of information and data (indicators) that reflect the changing status of potential trans-boundary water conflicts or issues. While some of these indicators may point to possible exacerbation of potential conflict, other indicators may suggest a reduction in the level of risk.

This information and data resides in different locations and is not easily accessible or regularly consolidated. Bringing this information together at regular intervals would provide all Central Asian states and their international partners with improved capacity to monitor the status of trans-boundary waters, and early warning of potential issues that require attention. The six states in the Aral Sea basin have all expressed their support in principle for such a system in discussions with UNRCCA.

To enhance cooperation towards integrated water resource management and to improve information on trans-boundary water issues in the region UNRCCA with financial support from the US Government held a seminar on Early Warning on Potential Trans-boundary Water Problem Situations in Central Asia in Almaty, Kazakhstan. These practices were presented to delegations of all five Central Asian states and Afghanistan, as well as numerous international agencies.

The publication is expected to be of interest to diplomats, state officials, academic circles and political analysts of Central Asian states and the international expert community that follows up on the developments in the region.

EARLY WARNING ON POTENTIAL TRANS-BOUNDARY WATER PROBLEM SITUATIONS IN CENTRAL ASIA

Author: Matthew Naumann
No. of pages: 32
Publication date: 2011
Publisher: UNRCCA
Download PDF: English