Climate Change and International Water Conflict in Central Asia

This report is a critical assessment of the neo-Malthusian claim that climatic changes can be an important source of international tensions, and in the extreme, even in militarized interstate disputes. The most likely scenario is conflict over water allocation in international catchments that are shared by poorer, less democratic, and politically less stable countries, governed by weak international water management institutions, and exposed to severe climatic changes. Using case studies from central Asia, the report indicates the need of effective international framework for water allocation and prevention of climate-induced geohazards in the region.