YDS 2021 in Review

eventually flows through rivers in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With water
levels low, discussions over closing the floodgates to secure Kyrgyzstan's water
supply drew concerns domestically over the possible loss of power, and
internationally over the impacts on water supplies for countries downstream.
Negotiations focussed on potentially trading power for water guarantees. Yet
despite a spirit of cooperation and engagement, the possibility for conflict in the
future cannot be discounted, particularly in light of ongoing border disputes across
Central Asia which have prompted occasional skirmishes in recent years.
K y r g y z s t a n ’ s T o k t o g u l r e s e r v o i r , t h e f o c u s o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l
n e g o t i a t i o n s o v e r p o w e r a n d w a t e r s u p p l i e s a c r o s s C e n t r a l A s i a .
P H O T O : N I N A R A / F L I C K R
Central Asia faces an extremely uncertain environmental future. Economies and
government budgets which have already been hit hard by the coronavirus
pandemic have and will continue to struggle to properly address such large scale
change. This will be to their detriment, and that of their people. While the long-term
political and geopolitical ramifications are yet to be fully clear, it is the most
vulnerable that will continue to be hit hardest.
P A G E 5 9 | 2 0 2 1 B Y Y D S