SIC ICWC initiated joining the International Commission of Irrigation and Drainage by all Central Asian states and establishment within ICID a special working group on the Aral Sea Basin. ICWC participation in ICID congress in Hague in 1993 (Messrs. Giniyatullin, Dukhovny), in Cairo in 1996 (Messrs. Sarsembekov, Bekbolotov, Ashurov, Deryakuliyev, Jalalov, Dukhovny), in Spain in 1999 (Messrs. Sarsembekov, Altiyev, Jalalov, Dukhovny), in the 47^th ICID Conference in Oxford in 1996, in the 49^th Conference in Indonesia in 1998, in the 50^th Conference in Grenada, Spain in 1999.

Study tours to developed countries are of great significance for decision-makers to gain the world experience in water management. The tours to the following countries were arranged:
to France in 1994, funded by the World Bank;
to Italy and Belgium in 1995, funded by the European Union;
to USA and Canada in 1996, 1997, 1998, funded by CIDA; in 2000, funded by CIDA and USAID;
to Spain in 1995, 1997, funded by Israel and the European Union;
to India in 1999, funded by Indian government;
to Pakistan in 1999, funded by SDC.

In March 2000, a big delegation of ICWC and IFAS took part in the Second World Water Forum in Hague, the Netherlands, where perspective global water problems were discussed. The principal goal was to find consensus between water demand for the environment, food production and human beings and the world. It is possible under the following conditions: water resources integrated management; transboundary waters management based on equality and parity for the benefit of riparian countries and the environment; capacity building; development of the information system; water conservation and improved productivity.

At the special seminar dedicated to the Aral Sea Basin problems the regional report “Water Vision of XXI century for the Aral Sea Basin” was presented. ICWC members Messrs. A. Ramazanov, K. Beshekeyev, A. Nazirov, T. Altiyev, A. Jalalov, R. Giniyatullin, V. Dukhovny and M. Khamidov took part in the Ministerial Conference which took place during the Forum. Many contacts were established which would contribute to further collaboration.

V. Dukhovny, SIC ICWC Director and P. Umarov, SIC ICWC Deputy Director are members of the World Water Council for Water Supply and Sanitation. They actively participate in its conferences, congresses and other events.

SIC ICWC is a member of international organizations:

• TECHWARE — “Technology for Water Resources”;
• World Council for Water Supply and Sanitation.
• World Water Council.
• Network of Basin Organizations — INBO.
• Global Water Partnership

V. Sokolov, SIC ICWC Deputy Director is a member of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA).

Permanent cooperation is maintained with the Embassies of the Great Britain, the Netherlands, Israel, India, Indonesia, China, USA, France and international organizations accredited in the region as well as with OSCE on water resources management, environmental aspects, etc.

SIC ICWC collaborates with UNESCO in development and implementation of the “Global Water Vision of XXI Century”. SIC ICWC experts contributed to the development of the regional report “Water and Food”, updated the Globesight model for analysis of development scenarios for the Aral Sea Basin.

SIC ICWC coordinates activity of scientific group of experts (SABAS) which prepares special reports on two UNESCO programs:
PCCP — “From Potential Conflicts to Cooperation Potential”
HELP — “Hydrology for Ecology, Life and Policy”.

Close collaboration with FAO, the World Bank, IPTRID, UNDP, EU, GWP, WWC, UN Economic Commission for Europe is being developed.

Under SIC ICWC initiative GWP Secretariat and Technical Committee support regional water partnership establishing in central Asia and Trans-Caucasus. Under Denmark government support (DANCEE) the first Regional Partnership Conference will be held in Almaty in February 2002, which will organized framework for actions for 8 countries.

Activities within WARMAP-2 Program are completed. During 5 years 8 centers of WARMIS information System were established: 3 regional (SIC ICWC, BWO Syrdarya and BWO Amudarya) and 5 national (4 SIC ICWC branches and MAWR’s Computer Center). 6 centers of WUFMAS system were established (regional in SANIIRI and 5 national centers) based on 9 farms. All centers are equipped with modern facilities and skilled personnel (the outputs are described in the report).

ISEAM project “Remote Monitoring of Agricultural Production in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan” is close to completion. Field investigations were conducted in 5 farms in Uzbekistan and 1 farm in Kazakhstan including investigations of irrigation, ground and drainage water quality, soil salinity and crops development. The outputs will be analyzed in detail with satellite imagery together with western partners, and recommendations will be given to MAWR. Findings will be transferred to MAWR Scientific Center and equipment — to Uzbekkosmos.

Research within INTAS project “Assessment of Social-Economic Consequences of the Aral Sea Desiccation” is being implemented. Factors of natural complex degradation are defined and analyzed. Categories of social and economic damage are defined as well. Preliminary losses calculation and assessment are made. Based on obtained outcomes NATO “Science for Peace” tender has been won and work is started on the project “Integrated water resources management for creation of wetlands in the Amudarya delta”. A brochure is prepared and sent to organizations in Central Asia and outside for comments.

UNDP project “Aral Sea Basin Development Program” aimed at creation of a model tool on the basis of interrelations between water resources, social-economic development and environment in Central Asian countries for decision-makers is being implemented. Based on this model test calculations were made for the region development forecast up to 2030 under 6 various scenarios.

Under program 7 “Water Resources Management and Control in the Syrdarya and Amudarya River Basins”, Dustlik SCADA automatic system of water management was installed, adjusted and put into operation on the Dustlik canal headworks by UMA Engineering, BWO Syrdarya and SIC ICWC with CIDA funding. The Dustlik Canal provides water for 220 ha of irrigated lands in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Main dispatch office is located in Gulistan (BWO Syrdarya). System has been successfully operating since 1999. A Similar locally produced “Sigma” system has been installed on the Verkhne-Chirchik hydrounit on the South-Golodnostepsky canal. It is planned to install similar unit on the Pakhtaabad canal with USAID and assistance and on the Uchkurgan hydrounit with SDC assistance. Project proposal on Amudarya hydrostructures modernization hase ben prepared. Donors search is underway for its realization.

In 1999, by UNDP request Prof. V. Dukhovny prepared a report on IFAS activities and the Aral Sea Basin Program development. In 2000 the second version of this report was prepared which included the analysis of changes occurred within the period of 1999-2000. The reports were approved by EC IFAS.

In April 2000, Prof. V. Dukhovny, and Z. Jurabekov prepared 4 papers on the integrated water resources management in the Aral Sea Basin, with analysis of special features of the Amudarya, Syrdarya and Zerafshan river basins. The papers were presented at the special World Bank seminar in Washington.

Along with above mentioned, SIC ICWC is preparing terms of reference for grant projects from the European Union (INTAS, Copernicus, TACIS), the World Bank, ADB, GEF, NATO and USAID in Central Asia.

One of large projects initiated by SIC ICWC jointly with EC IFAS is the project “Water Resources and Environment Management” which costs $22.0 mln. is now under implementation.

In 2000 Copernicus program grant was received jointly with the Lisbon Agrarian University, Portugal, for the project “Management of crop water requirements as a basis for water conservation and prevention of desertification in the Aral Sea Basin on the example of Fergana valley” (2000-2002). Institutes from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan take part in this project.

Kick-off seminars have being conducted and work started on the project “Integrated management of irrigated agriculture in Fergana valley” planned to be implemented on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan jointly with IWMI under SDC funding for the period of 2001-2003 and “Best practice in water conservation in Amudarya and Syrdarya basin in Central Asia” (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, IWMI, SDC).

Technical proposals are prepared for the projects “Collector-drainage water use in the Aral Sea Basin” and “Integrated water resources management in Zerafshan valley” approved by EC IFAS. The donors for this project implementation are being searched.

In November 2001 ICWC on its 31st meeting in Dushanbe has approved a program of regional cooperation strengthening to Third World Water Forum in Japan to be held in March 2003.

New forum in Japan should show ways and possibilities of transition from vision to action in integrated water resources management to provide sustainable development for nearest 25-30 years.

SIC ICWC is registered by WWF-3 Secretariat as “Water Voice” Messenger and Coordinator of Regional Virtual Forum. This will allow to invite all concerned to cooperation in this direction, develop partnership and integration in Central Asia according special program.