Water Unites

Photo essay by Alfred Diebold
«From the glaciers to the Aral Sea, water unites»
In this catalogue we have learned so far about the complexities of equitably managing
water flowing through rivers that cross borders, as well as how climate change affects the
issue and how international conventions have tried to improve cooperation in the Aral
Sea Basin. We also presented the regional instituions that deal with the management of
water resources and learned how the Aral Sea catastrophe came about. We also showed
that many donor organizations have been assisting Central Asia over the last 20 years
since independence with many programs and projects.
In the following chapters, we will journey from the glaciers to the Aral Sea. We’ll start
in the mountains of the Tian Shan, Alai and the Pamirs. Our journey will take us along
the Amu Darya, the Karakum Canal, the Zerafshan and the Syr Darya before reaching
the Aral Sea.
This exhibition is designed to increase awareness that only mutual understanding and
joint programs will lead to better results for everyone involved. Still, it is the people of
the region who must be at the core of all our development efforts, for it is they who will
ultimately make a difference.
Photo essay Preface
67