New Publication Reveals Insights into Water Sector Financial Governance in Central Asia

The CAREC Institute released a comprehensive publication titled “Water sector financial governance gap analysis in Central Asia.” The report, authored by Georg Petersen, Erkin Madumarov, Aiman Uteyeva, Bakhrom Gaforzoda, Gulnara Mergenova, and Aziz Karimov, delves into the regulatory landscape governing water tariffs, environmental regulations, and water resource management in Central Asian countries. It highlights the roles of key state committees and ministries in overseeing and regulating various aspects of the water sector.

The research was funded through the technical and financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank under “TA-6694 REG: Water sector financial governance gap analysis in Central Asia: from planning to practice.”

Furthermore, the publication addresses the lack of comprehensive regulatory frameworks for water utilities, emphasizing the importance of clear laws and regulations to govern the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both private and public water companies. It also discusses the challenges hindering private engagement in the water sector, such as regulatory hurdles and unclear ownership structures.

The report provides valuable recommendations for improving financial governance in the water sector, including the need for coordinated investment planning, enhanced fee collection mechanisms, and the development of policy initiatives to promote partnerships and agreements within the sector.