Comparative Analysis of Water Sector Reforms
Tracking Progress in Asia and the Pacific
Phase 1- Assessing Water Sector Policies and Reforms - Country Briefs
Kyrgyz Republic
Independence has left the Kyrgyz Republic in dire circumstances, and the central Government has shown considerable willingness to accept international guidance with regard to across-the-board reform. In accord with this, significant changes are being introduced in the water sector, although there are many impediments to effective implementation, such as weak institutional capacity and loss of capable people. Reforms are focusing particularly on delivery of water services, and their application to water resources management appears to be lagging somewhat.
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NATIONAL POLICIES AND REFORMS
Reviews have been carried out and policies are being introduced in a number of areas, although with no overall water policy so far, particularly with regard to management of the resource. Other aspects of the legal/policy framework, such as modernization of water-related law and coordination of water-related activities, appear to be proceeding rather more slowly.
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WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Good progress has been made in a number of areas, such as incorporation of water quality management into sector investments. Catchment/wetland conservation and flood management/response also are areas of progress. There are, on the other hand, areas of weakness, such as mechanisms for water allocation that do not meet post-independence needs, weak provision for management of wastewater discharges, and a focus on structural flood management measures with only recent moves to non-structural approaches.
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IMPROVING WATER SERVICES
Post-independence financial circumstances have led to a severe deterioration and water-related infrastructure and service levels, and rehabilitation of systems is urgently required. Much infrastructure is being turned over to community organizations, village authorities, and embryonic Water User Associations, although public utilities and Government departments are still substantially engaged. Government accepts the need for recovery of costs, but there is an historical unwillingness to pay and receipts are small, so that there is still a high level of subsidy or simple lack of funds for O&M and investment.
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CONSERVING WATER
A traditional culture of state-provided "free water", with very low tariffs, has not encouraged efficient water use. Because supply reliability is so low, water use is declining. Regulations, increased tariffs, public education and other mechanisms are being introduced to cope with post-independence circumstances but will take time to be effective.
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PROMOTING REGIONAL COOPERATION
International arrangements for shared waters date from Soviet times and are not necessarily appropriate today. Since independence, Kyrgyz Republic and other riparian states largely have acted independently, but internationally-funded projects are working to alter this. Water projects in Kyrgyz Republic are largely rehabilitative at present, so their implications for other riparian stakeholders are limited.
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FOSTERING PARTICIPATION; CAPACITY BUILDING; NETWORKING
Participation of civil society in water-related projects is actively fostered by internationally-funded projects, although procedures are still being operational zed and the incorporation of gender-related elements needs further development. Human capital in the sector has declined since independence, and capacity building is proceeding largely in the context of internationally-funded activities.
Sectors and Themes 
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