Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify patterns in the interaction between institutional and technological factors in shaping sustainable transboundary water governance in the region. To obtain a comprehensive picture, methods of descriptive and comparative statistics, coefficient-based analysis, and multiparametric comparison of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of water management in the three countries – Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were employed. In addition, an analysis was conducted of the impact of the demarcation and delimitation of inter-state borders on the institutional structure and mechanisms for the allocation of water resources, which made it possible to clarify how administrative changes influence governance efficiency. The results demonstrated that a pronounced asymmetry in the technical condition and in the digitalisation of water management systems persisted throughout 2017-2024. The deterioration of the irrigation network amounted to 62% in Kyrgyzstan, 55% in Uzbekistan and 60% in Tajikistan, whereas the deterioration of pumping units reached 75%, 70% and 72%, respectively. Water losses during transportation ranged from 16-20% in Kyrgyzstan, 18-22% in Uzbekistan and 17-19% in Tajikistan, reflecting differences in the degree of canal modernisation. Losses of regulated flow amounted to 80 million m³ in Kyrgyzstan, 110 million m³ in Uzbekistan and 85 million m³ in Tajikistan, while losses of delivered water reached 25, 35 and 25 million m³, respectively. The aggregate technological losses of the region reached approximately 650 million m³, including 230-250 million m³ in Uzbekistan, which corresponded to the highest load on the downstream irrigation system. Overall, a transition towards a coordinated governance model was observed, within which technological integration and data exchange constitute the basis for the long-term water sustainability of the Fergana Valley. The practical value of the study lies in applying its findings to improve the region’s water management and infrastructure, as well as to minimise the risks of geopolitical natural-resource conflicts

Keywords

natural-resource conflicts; hydraulic infrastructure; digitalisation; sustainable water use; modernisation; water balance; water border

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Suggested citation

Matikeeva, N. (2025). Impact of demarcation and delimitation processes on inter-state water resource governance in the Fergana Valley. News of Osh Technological University, 25(2), 19-34. https://doi.org/10.63621/notu./2.2025.19