ICWC OF CENTRAL ASIA AS INCTITUTE OF REGIONAL WATER SECURITY

As is known, water use from trans-boundary rivers of Central Asia (CA) has a huge conflict potential. Issues related to equitable water allocation between the regional states and their mutually beneficial use are kept in view of the Heads of CA States. In the beginning of 1990s the CA Governments have signed the Agreement about cooperation in area of regional water resources’ use and protection (Alma-Ata, 1992). According to this Agreement, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of CA established, and earlier accepted legal acts regarding regional water management remain in force, in particularly – interstate water distribution is based on Water Use and Protection Master-Plans (WUPMP) developed in 1980s for the Amudarya and Syrdarya river basins. Establishment of ICWC was an important step towards keeping “statusquo” in regional water management. ICWC decisions are fulfilled through its executive authorities – Basin Water Organization (BWO) “Amudarya” and BWO “Syrdarya”. ICWC determines water policy in the region and its major direction. According to the Agreement 1992: a) ICWC is responsible for general governance of the regional water management system; b) high officials of main water departments of CA countries are the members of ICWC; c) ICWC meetings are held on the quarterly basis in one of the state-founders; d) ICWC Decisions are accepted on consensus’ basis; e) ICWC member has a right of “veto”, thus ensuring high protection of national interests. ICWC acts as political institute of regional water safety, and its activity allowed avoid regional water conflicts predicted by western analysts.