Bishkek to host a maiden Forum of Small Basin Councils

On November 26-27, representatives of the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan will discuss the effective management of trans-boundary water resources on small rivers in the region.  

The USAID-CAREC joint project “Water, Education and Cooperation” (Smart Waters) is holding the maiden Forum of small basin Councils of Central Asia and Afghanistan. The event will unite representatives of the Small Basin Councils, relevant ministries and departments of the region, as well as international organizations and projects.  

Primarily, the forum envisages the development of trans-boundary cooperation of the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, as well as the progression of the institution of basin councils as a tool for joint decision-making at the local level in small river basins.  

There are more than 200 small trans-boundary rivers in the region. It should be noted that a number of problematic issues impede the efficient use of water in these rivers: deterioration of infrastructure, lack of water accounting, use of outdated technologies and other challenges.  

The task of the small basin Councils is to involve all groups of water users (civil society, farmers, producers and hydropower producers) to address these issues.  

CAREC, with the support of USAID and other international organizations, has been promoting the creation of Small Basin Councils (SBC) on small trans-boundary rivers since 2012. The councils regulate the use and protection of water resources using the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. It is a practical implementation of the water management reforms and currently being implemented in the countries of the region. This approach takes into account the interests of various sectors of water use, as well as the interaction of water, land and other natural resources.  

The forum participants will discuss the development of the institute of small basin councils in the region, attracting business and donor agencies, as well as increasing the public attention to the challenges in the basins of small rivers in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Special attention will be paid to innovative methods of water resources management and the introduction of a scientific approach to the activities of basin councils. Participants are waiting for a presentation on trans-boundary communication experience of local communities on drip irrigation, water accounting systems, GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and computer forecasting of water flow in rivers.