OBSTACLES TO ESTABLISHING A WATER-ENERGY CONSORTIUM IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

Throughout their independence, the countries of the region have been trying to find rational ways to manage water resources of the transboundary rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya. The idea of establishing a water-energy consortium was first voiced in 2018, with the main objective of balancing the use of water resources for irrigation and hydropower. However, the construction of mutually beneficial and predictable water cooperation is based on framework agreements at the local levels and against the background of territorial problems. The article considers the issues of legal support of water cooperation at the regional level and the status of ratification of international legal acts in the field of water resources management by Central Asian countries. Also, the problems of ethnic enclaves located on the territory of the Fergana Valley, which hinder friendly relations in the use of water and land resources, are touched upon. In addition to internal problems, the article discusses the successful experience of establishing water-energy cooperation between the countries of the Senegal River Basin and the possibility of its application in the Central Asian region.