s publication is the forth of a series of reports prepared within the framework of FAO's AQUASTAT programme, aimed at presenting a comprehensive picture of water resources development and irrigation, with emphasis on developing countries. This volume presents the results of surveys performed in the countries if Asia in 1997 and 1998, relying on country-based statistics. A general summary presents a synopsis on water resources development, irrigation and drainage in the region, and country profiles describe the specific situation of each country.

This report presents the results of the most recent survey carried out in the six countries of the Central Asia region, and it analyzes the changes that have occurred in the ten years since the first survey. Following the AQUASTAT methodology, the survey relied as much as possible on country-based statistics and information. The report consists of three sections. Section I describes in detail the methodology used and contains a glossary of the terms used. Section II contains the regional analysis presenting a synopsis on water resources, water use and irrigation in the region and the trends over the last ten years. It also describes the legislative and institutional framework for water management as well as environmental issues and it presents prospects for agricultural water management from the countries' perspective. Section III contains detailed country profiles for Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and one river basin profile for the Aral Sea basin.

The report consists of three sections.

The AQUASTAT Programme was initiated with a view to presenting a comprehensive picture of water resources and irrigation in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and providing systematic, up-to-date and reliable information on water for agriculture and rural development. This report presents the results of the most recent survey carried out in the 22 countries of the Southern and Eastern Asia region, and it analyzes the changes that have occurred in the ten years since the first survey. Following the AQUASTAT methodology, the survey relied as much as possible on country-based statistics and information.

There is today a crucial need to revamp the management and governance of water systems in Asia in order to cater to the increasing demands of a growing group of users with diverse needs - urban settlements, industry, food producers and environmental needs. This book includes essays that cover a range of issues that are involved in this endeavor.