Recently, a significant collective monograph titled "International Legal Regulation of Transboundary Rivers" was released in Almaty. This extensive work was created with the participation of scholars, lawyers, and ecologists from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, highlighting its international character. The book is published in three languages: Russian, English, and Chinese.
The monograph, which consists of nearly 500 pages, was developed within the framework of a strategic partnership between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Xi'an Jiaotong University. The project was led by Zh. Tuymebaev and Zhang Licyun, with E. Duisenov and Shan Wenhua serving as scientific editors, and S. Ushurova taking the position of executive editor.
The authors of the book address one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century: the management of transboundary water resources against the backdrop of freshwater scarcity, climate change, and geopolitical uncertainty. The work presents a theoretical-legal, regional, and applied analysis, as well as practical recommendations for preventing water conflicts.
Central Asia, as a region where the joint use of water resources is closely linked to food, environmental, and energy security, receives special attention. The monograph proposes a shift towards the concept of "hydrodiplomacy of the 21st century," which integrates ecological security, big data technologies, and the political will of countries.
The work stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, intertwining legal, ecological, economic, and political aspects. Sources include international agreements, court decisions, documents from the UN, SCO, and CIS, as well as national legislation of the countries in the region.
The aim of the research is to contribute to the formation of a new legal model for fair and sustainable water use. The authors believe that effective management of transboundary rivers can serve as a foundation for cooperation and trust between states, rather than a cause of conflict.
The monograph is already being regarded as an important contribution to contemporary science and a significant step in the development of international dialogue on water resource issues. It will be useful for scholars, diplomats, ecologists, politicians, and anyone interested in sustainable development and security in Central Asia.
