THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PROMOTING WATER DIPLOMACY IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

The transboundary water resources of Central Asia serve as a fundamental element for maintaining regional stability and achieving sustainable development in modern times. The research evaluates international organizations including the UN, World Bank, EU, OSCE and IFAS to develop water diplomacy for managing Amudarya and Syrdarya river basins. Content analysis of regulatory legal acts together with expert reports and comparative statistics on financing and water security have been used to identify three main areas of their activity which include developing a legal framework and financing infrastructure projects and mediating water disputes. The quantitative analysis reveals that infrastructure modernization receives more than 70% of funding but institutional development programs and local specialist training receive less than 10% of the total funds. The large discrepancies in water resources between Tajikistan at 8,500 m³/year per person and Uzbekistan at less than 3,000 m³/year create intensified inter-state conflicts which proves the necessity of effective diplomatic efforts. The EU-Central Asia Water Cooperation initiatives and OSCE mediation activities show that project success depends heavily on political party commitment and strategic alignment. The development of human potential receives special focus through training initiatives and negotiation platforms establishment. The research data allows to suggest improvements for the legal framework alongside funding diversification that focuses on educational programs and enhanced international organization coordination with regional governments. The research findings provide essential information to develop sustainable long-term strategies for climate change adaptation and water resources management in Central Asia.