Thesis Defence: Transboundary River Governance in the Chu-Talas River Basin

Ilyas Kanybek, supervised by Dr. John Wagner, will defend their thesis titled “Transboundary River Governance in the Chu-Talas River Basin” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Sustainability theme.

An abstract for Ilyas Kanybek’s thesis is included below.

Defences are open to all members of the campus community as well as the general public. Registration is not required for in-person defences.

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ABSTRACT

The goal of the current study is to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of existing transboundary water governance mechanisms in the Chu-Talas River Basin, shared between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan. To achieve this goal, I apply water governance and post-socialist theories to critically assess the legal frameworks, institutional settings, and central role played in the governance system by the Chu-Talas River Commission (CTRC). I have organized my research findings based on the distributional theory of Zwarteveen. et al. (2017), which considers the distribution of water as a material resource but also the distribution of voice and authority, knowledge, and expertise among the many actors within the governance system. I also utilize the institutional performance assessment model of Berardo and Gerlak in my evaluation of the Commission. The research relies on fieldwork conducted during the summer and fall of 2023, which involved semi-structured interviews with key actors and in situ observations, as well as archival research and literature reviews of academic publications and government reports. The findings indicate that while the CTRC has been effective in addressing specific issues outlined in the Chu-Talas River Agreement of 2000, such as co-financing water infrastructure and managing transboundary water distribution, it faces significant challenges in addressing broader governance issues. The research also highlights the continued influence of the Soviet legacy on current water governance mechanisms and practices, necessitating the renegotiation of frameworks to ensure equitable water distribution. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for improved data collection and transparency, the establishment of robust mechanisms for public participation, and a greater focus at the national level in addressing climate change and water scarcity issues. The findings suggest that enhancing institutional capacity, fostering regional cooperation, and integrating local knowledge into decision-making processes are crucial for achieving more inclusive and effective water governance in the Chu-Talas River Basin.