Water and Security in Central Asia ― Solving a Rubik's Cube

Examining the water, development and security linkages in Central Asia can feel a bit like solving a Rubik’s cube. The Rubik’s cube starts to usually find structure and the different pieces find their places when its solver adopts a systematic approach. Still, solving the whole cube takes time and perseverance. This is also the case with water and security in Central Asia as demonstrated by the chapters in this book. In the case of water and security in Central Asia, there are many "faces", including not only the Central Asian states but also the neighbouring countries and other players of global geopolitics; "stickers" such as policies, practices, causes, and impacts; and "colours" such as the different stakeholders, ranging from the micro and meso levels to the macro level. Understanding all these, or getting clarity on the nexus, can seem extremely challenging. Even though none of the chapters alone answers the question of what constitutes water and security in Central Asia, each of them gives thoughtful ideas and information on the complexity of the issue.

This book was published as a special issue of the International Journal of Water Resources Development.

Virpi Stucki works at the Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, Finland. Her work focuses on integrated water resources management in developing countries.

Muhammad Mizanur Rahaman works at the Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, Finland. Previously, he was a visiting scholar at University of Cambridge, UK. His work focuses on global water policies, integrated water resources management, transboundary river basin institutions and conflicts.

Kai Wegerich holds a Researcher position at the International Water Management Institute. Previously, he worked as Assistant Professor at the Irrigation and Water Engineering Group of Wageningen University. His research interests are social and political aspects of water management in Central Asia.

Olli Varis is working as a Professor at Aalto University, Finland. He has a broad and interdisciplinary experience on water, environment and development research and consultation. His research concentrates on environmental and social impacts of water policies and water resources management in developing countries.