Water challenges in Central-South Asia

Water issues play a crucial role in Central-South Asia (C-SA), both in the quantity of water available and its quality. This policy brief argues that while much of the region is experiencing water shortages, poor water management lies at the heart of many problems.

The document underlines such findings as:

• access to clean drinking water is a major, though largely unmet, objective in C-SA
• climate change will increasingly exacerbate water scarcity 
• although the region’s water challenges do not necessarily lead to armed conflict, they increasingly threaten to undermine human security
• inefficient water use characterises Central Asian agriculture, whereas hydropower projects conflict with irrigation needs
• water pollution is a leading cause of death, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  

The paper deems that cooperation will be critical for the region to meet its water challenges in the years and decades ahead. In this regard, existing institutions can contribute to seeking solutions and promoting regional cooperation, especially if they engage with civil society. Further conclusions are listed below:

• it is essential to build environmental, social, economic, and political resilience, as well as improve institutional capacities to cope with growing water scarcity and climate impacts
• better watershed management, rainwater harvesting, urban water conservation, investments in improved sanitation facilities, and more integrated planning to deal with competing water needs are also vitally important
• accordingly, international donor support is needed to adequately finance infrastructure maintenance, greater water efficiency, and diversification toward less thirsty and more drought-resistant crops.