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EDB Chief Economist Outlines Central Asia’s Water Challenges and Proposes Solutions

Evgeny Vinokurov, Vice-Chairman and Chief Economist of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), presented a sobering assessment of Central Asia’s water and energy challenges at the Annual Meetings of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) on April 23. The event, held in Muscat, Oman, featured a plenary session dedicated to sustainable water management and practical strategies for addressing mounting environmental pressures in the region. Shrinking Glaciers and Growing Demand Vinokurov unveiled findings from the EDB’s think tank research, which paint a stark picture: Central Asia’s glaciers have shrunk by 30% over the past 50 years, while water demand continues to rise. Despite this, much of the region's water infrastructure remains outdated and inefficient, resulting in a loss of 40-55% of available water. Additionally, 10 million people in Central Asia still lack access to safe drinking water. Without targeted intervention, annual water scarcity could reach 5-12 cubic kilometers by 2028. National Commitments and Regional Coordination The EDB report emphasized water conservation as a critical pillar in the region’s response to these challenges. Several countries are already pursuing large-scale water-saving initiatives: Kazakhstan plans to expand water-saving irrigation technologies to 150,000 hectares per year by 2030. Uzbekistan has committed to saving 15 billion cubic meters of water. Kyrgyzstan aims to construct 106 new reservoirs to secure water supply. “Central Asia’s water crisis cannot be solved in isolation,” said Vinokurov. “Our research provides a roadmap for efficiency, investment, and, most importantly, regional cooperation. This is why the water-energy nexus remains a strategic priority for our Bank, both in terms of investments and research.” Localizing Water Solutions The EDB, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), recently published a report titled Irrigation Equipment Production in Central Asia: Industrialising the Water Sector, calling for localized production of irrigation equipment to enhance water efficiency and reduce dependency on imports. Another key publication from the EDB, The Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions, focuses on the Irtysh River basin shared by China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The report outlines increasing water demand across the basin and proposes measures for managing cross-border water resources through collaborative frameworks. Uzbekistan Joins the EDB On April 9, Uzbekistan became the seventh member of the Eurasian Development Bank, joining Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. The move is expected to provide new avenues for Uzbekistan to modernize its infrastructure, particularly in the transport, energy, and water sectors, and support its broader industrial and agricultural development goals.

Report Migration Trends World Bank Migration Central Asia

World Bank Report Examines Migration Trends in Central Asia

The World Bank has released a report titled The Way Forward: Supporting Successful Migration in the Europe and Central Asia Region, which analyzes migration trends and their impact on countries in the region, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Migration remains a significant issue in Europe and Central Asia, a region home to 100 million migrants, one-third of the world’s total migrant population. People move across borders in search of better job opportunities, as well as in response to changing demographics, climate change, and conflicts. This trend is expected to continue. According to the report, most migrants from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan head to Russia, with over 80% of migration from these countries directed there in 2023. Migration from Uzbekistan is more diverse, with 57% of Uzbek migrants residing in Russia, 15% in Kazakhstan, and 10% in Ukraine. The Economic Role of Labor Migration Labor migration plays a crucial role in the economies of Central Asian nations. In 2024, remittances accounted for: 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP 14% of Uzbekistan’s GDP Many households rely heavily on money sent home by migrants. The report highlights that without remittances, the poverty rate among Kyrgyz households with migrant family members would rise from 10% to 50%, while in Uzbekistan, it would increase from 9.6% to 16.8%. The total volume of remittances sent to Uzbekistan in 2024 reached a record $14.8 billion. Recommendations for Better Migration Management The report underscores the need for improved migration policies, as its full potential remains underutilized. If managed effectively, migration can help address economic and demographic challenges. The World Bank recommends several measures to enhance migration management: Developing tailored strategies for skilled and unskilled workers. Integrating labor migration into national economic planning to support growth. Implementing policies to mitigate "brain drain" and encourage skilled workers to return home. Improving migrant registration and formalizing agreements with destination countries. Providing migrants with accurate job information to ensure safer and more organized migration processes. The report concludes that with the right policies in place, migration has the potential to serve as a powerful tool for economic development in Central Asia.

Central Asia Freedom House Report Society

Central Asia Ranks Among Least Free in Freedom House’s 2025 Report

Freedom House has released its 2025 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide. Covering events from January 1 to December 31, 2024, the report is based on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing that freedom is best safeguarded in democratic societies. Countries are assessed on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater political and civil freedoms. Finland topped the ranking with 100 points, followed by New Zealand and Sweden with 99 points each. At the bottom were Tibet (0 points), Syria, and South Sudan (1 point each). Central Asia: All Countries Remain 'Not Free' Despite variations in scores, all five Central Asian states remain near the bottom of the global ranking, reflecting ongoing restrictions on political participation, press freedom, and civil liberties. All of the countries of Central Asia remain classified as “Not Free”: Kazakhstan - 23 points (5 in political rights, 18 in civil liberties) Kyrgyzstan - 26 points (4 in political rights, 22 in civil liberties) Tajikistan - 5 points (0 in political rights, 5 in civil liberties) Turkmenistan - 1 point (0 in political rights, 1 in civil liberties) Uzbekistan - 12 points (2 in political rights, 10 in civil liberties)

Water Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Water Management Report Irtysh River

Report Addresses Cross-Border Challenges in Irtysh River Basin

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a report titled “The Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions”, analyzing the water resources of the transboundary Irtysh River basin, shared by China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The report highlights growing water demand in all three countries and proposes practical solutions to address cross-border challenges. Strategic Importance of the Irtysh River The Irtysh River, the world’s longest transboundary tributary, stretches 4,248 km and, together with the Ob River, forms Russia’s longest waterway, the second longest in Asia and the seventh longest globally. Flowing from China through Kazakhstan into Russia, the river is crucial for all three countries, necessitating strategic cooperation in its management. [caption id="attachment_29111" align="aligncenter" width="1950"] The Irtysh River Basin; image: eabr.org[/caption] Key Challenges in Each Country China In China, the upper Irtysh River is essential for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where the population has surged from 15.2 million in 1990 to 25.87 million in 2022. Rapid regional development has made water stress a pressing issue. Research forecasts that annual water withdrawals from the Irtysh could more than triple, from the current 1.5 - 2.0 km³ to 7 km³, out of an average natural flow of 8.3 km³. Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, the Irtysh and its tributaries support 30% of the population and contribute 45% of the country’s total agricultural output. The Irtysh HPP Cascade accounts for 10% of Kazakhstan’s electricity generation and 80% of its hydropower capacity. Increased water withdrawals by China pose significant risks to Kazakhstan’s water security. Russia For Russia, upstream water policies in China and Kazakhstan are major concerns. Excessive Chinese withdrawals could reduce Kazakhstan’s downstream flow, impacting Omsk and the surrounding Omsk Municipal District. Changes in water availability and quality over the next decade present serious socio-economic challenges for the region. Key Recommendations from the Report The EDB report outlines four major recommendations for managing transboundary water challenges: Expanding Bilateral and Trilateral Cooperation The report urges stronger water agreements between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as between Kazakhstan and China, incorporating international water management principles. Recommended cooperation areas include: Ensuring international navigation on the Irtysh-Ob River system Controlling water pollution Regulating safe water usage Improving efficiency during floods, droughts, and low-water periods This groundwork would help establish a future trilateral water management agreement between the three countries. Strengthening Water Management Infrastructure The report calls for soft infrastructure development, such as: Creating an interstate river flow monitoring system with open data access Developing joint training programs for water management specialists Expanding interdisciplinary water research involving experts from all three nations Coordinating Hydraulic Infrastructure Operations The report stresses the importance of joint management of existing and future hydropower plants, dams, reservoirs, and irrigation canals to ensure stable water supplies without harming other nations' resources. Priority projects include: Shulbinsk HPP (Phase 2) in Kazakhstan Semipalatinsk HPP in Kazakhstan Modernization of the Satpayev Irtysh-Karaganda Canal in Kazakhstan Construction of the Krasnogorsk hydro-system near Omsk, Russia Developing a Multimodal Transport Corridor The report proposes a multimodal transport corridor linking Russia,...