WATER SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND THE QOSH TEPA CANAL

The article's main goal is to formulate, from a historical-geographical and geoecological perspective, that ensuring the ecological security of transboundary water bodies in Central Asia is the foundation of the region's political security and its economic and social development. The article discusses the scarcity of water resources in Central Asia and its ecological and geopolitical consequences. The water issue in Central Asia has become a complex problem of global significance, not only regional. Factors such as the region's water resources reduction, climate change, urbanization, and population growth are increasing the water demand. The issues of efficient water resource use and distribution may lead to tensions between Central Asian countries and contribute to regional instability. The article also analyzes the impact and risks for Central Asian countries related to the implementation of the Khostobe Canal project in Afghanistan, as well as the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea. Scientific research and international cooperation regarding the future of water resources in Central Asia are also discussed, highlighting the importance of various international positions in water resource management. This issue significantly impacts the region's ecological, economic, and social development and is crucial for global stability. Given the complexity of the research topic, historical-geographical, archival, narrative, statistical analysis, comparative methods, geographical modelling, and cartographic techniques were used. Through this, the authors conclude the need for new approaches and a unified strategy in solving water-energy issues and managing transboundary water resources, two of the most relevant topics today. This study aims to contribute to improving policy and governance in this area by proposing solutions to water-energy issues.