Water situation in Central Asia
Most of the glaciers of Central Asia are situated in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are largely dependent on the water that melts from those glaciers. Therefore, a good cooperation between riparian countries is of particular importance.
During Soviet times, water distribution was controlled centrally; today, water management has to be negotiated on a multilateral basis between the various countries involved.
While differences remain, all of them agree that water has a stabilising and peacebuilding role to play.
Why Switzerland?
Goto first pageWhy Switzerland?
Switzerland has been cooperating with its
neighbours on sustainable water management for decades.
Under the water diplomacy initiative in Central
Asia, Switzerland can transfer this valuable expertise...
...by supporting the countries
involved in building up effective infrastructure...
...or in the field of collection of reliable data,
which increases transparency and cooperation among countries.
Issues and challenges
Issues and challenges
Among the considerable challenges facing the region, the fair distribution of water resources among the riparian states is of vital importance.
Only if there is a joint water management between the countries...
...there will be enough water in the rural areas of all countries for agriculture...
...and safe and clean drinking water.
Climate change is another big challenge. Due to it, glaciers in Central Asia are melting quickly causing additional natural hazards.
Interventions
Interventions
As the situation is quite complex, so are the interventions. In fact, there is a network of interventions, so all challenges are tackled simultaneously.
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Glacier melt
Flash floods and mudslides
Water quality
Water diplomacy
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation channels and rivers are the lifelines in mountainous villages in Tajikistan. Only with an efficient management of these, there will be enough and safe water for all.
Glacier melt
As due to global warming glaciers in Central Asia are melting and the ideal water supply in the region will no longer be guaranteed, the Central Asian countries entrusted Switzerland with an advisory role in regard to sustainable water resources management in the region. Therefore, an improved cooperation at both the political and scientific level is sought.
Flash floods and mudslides
Due to increased glaciers melt, many glacial lakes cause more and more flash floods and mudslides in the villages of Tajikistan. Most inhabitants of these villages rely on agriculture. Therefore, Switzerland supports Tajikistan in the establishment of integrated watershed management, in order to protect villagers against flash floods for example.
Water quality
Abundant
or scarce, water quality is essential in terms of public health. In order to
access to safe drinking water, rural and mountainous populations are being
trained to manage water and sanitation systems.
Urban area
In cities, municipal water utilities provide water and
sanitation services to the residents. Water users pay for their consumption
which is essential to allow the maintenance and operation of the water systems.
Water diplomacy
Water diplomacy
Water is of crucial importance in the present security environment. This resource has become a key element not only for development and for combating poverty but also for peace and political stability.
This is why Switzerland brought together representatives of the five Central Asian countries in Basel in 2014, for an initial meeting to discuss integrated water resources management.
This is why Switzerland brought together representatives of the five Central Asian countries in Basel in 2014, for an initial meeting to discuss integrated water resources management.
Since then, high-level "technical dialogues" and study trips have taken place regularly. One trip brought a delegation of ten officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to Dakar, to look at how Senegal, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea work together at managing the shared Senegal River.
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Water resources in Central Asia
Issues and challenges
Interventions
Interventions
Irrigation
Glacier melt
Flash floods and mudslides
Water quality
Water diplomacy
