Water-Energy Cooperation and Hydropolitics in Central Asia
Dursun Yıldız
C.E Hydropolitcs Expert (M.Sc.)
Director
HPA Hydropolitics Academy Center-Türkiye
July 7 2025
1.Introduction
During the Soviet Union era, the centrally planned management of natural resources and agricultural product transfers in the Turkic World countries of Central Asia led to disagreements over water management after the dissolution of the USSR. Following the independence of the Central Asian states, one of the most pressing issues was how to coordinate the operation of upstream hydroelectric dams and downstream irrigation systems, inherited from the Soviet period. For this reason, in our analyses, the water problem of Central Asia has been defined not as a shortage of water, but rather as a problem of transboundary water management.
In the new conditions of the region, in addition to the operation of existing hydraulic structures, the upstream countries’ plans for new dams—some of which were even under construction—caused tensions to escalate. Countries began to defend their water resources and water rights through security-centered policies and often showed reluctance to comply with agreements. In the 35 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, population growth, pollution, the impacts of climate change, and evolving interstate relations and needs have positively influenced the search for cooperation in water management.
For the countries of Central Asia, solving the complex system of water and energy infrastructure inherited from the USSR took considerable time. This was largely because newly independent states initially prioritized protecting national resources and national interests.
The region features a mixture of hydrocarbon-rich but water-poor countries, alongside water-rich but oil- and gas-poor states. The unequal distribution of water resources, combined with political and economic asymmetries, initially fostered competition and conflict, complicating problem-solving efforts. During the Soviet era, irrigation and water rights systems favored downstream states with high quotas. Moreover, these countries also gained an advantage from newly discovered fossil fuel resources, further intensifying the region’s economic and political imbalance. Over the ensuing 35 years, political and social crises and increasing public demands have heightened the importance of cooperative policies for regional stability and security.
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Water-Energy Cooperation and Hydropolitics in Central Asia
Dursun Yıldız
C.E Hydropolitcs Expert (M.Sc.)
Director
HPA Hydropolitics Academy Center-Türkiye
July 7 2025
1.Introduction
During the Soviet Union era, the centrally planned management of natural resources and agricultural product transfers in the Turkic World countries of Central Asia led to disagreements over water management after the dissolution of the USSR. Following the independence of the Central Asian states, one of the most pressing issues was how to coordinate the operation of upstream hydroelectric dams and downstream irrigation systems, inherited from the Soviet period. For this reason, in our analyses, the water problem of Central Asia has been defined not as a shortage of water, but rather as a problem of transboundary water management.
In the new conditions of the region, in addition to the operation of existing hydraulic structures, the upstream countries’ plans for new dams—some of which were even under construction—caused tensions to escalate. Countries began to defend their water resources and water rights through security-centered policies and often showed reluctance to comply with agreements. In the 35 years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, population growth, pollution, the impacts of climate change, and evolving interstate relations and needs have positively influenced the search for cooperation in water management.
For the countries of Central Asia, solving the complex system of water and energy infrastructure inherited from the USSR took considerable time. This was largely because newly independent states initially prioritized protecting national resources and national interests.
The region features a mixture of hydrocarbon-rich but water-poor countries, alongside water-rich but oil- and gas-poor states. The unequal distribution of water resources, combined with political and economic asymmetries, initially fostered competition and conflict, complicating problem-solving efforts. During the Soviet era, irrigation and water rights systems favored downstream states with high quotas. Moreover, these countries also gained an advantage from newly discovered fossil fuel resources, further intensifying the region’s economic and political imbalance. Over the ensuing 35 years, political and social crises and increasing public demands have heightened the importance of cooperative policies for regional stability and security.
To read the full article, please click on
^
