This article analyses the historical transformation of the Aral Sea crisis and water policy in Uzbekistan between 1960 and 2025. It argues that the Aral Sea crisis should be examined not only as an environmental catastrophe, but also as a long-term governance challenge involving irrigation economics, cotton-centred planning, transboundary water cooperation, human security and climate adaptation. The article identifies three major stages of transformation: the Soviet hydraulic-production model, the post-independence crisis-management model, and the recent water-security and efficiency-oriented reform model.

Aral Sea region, water policy, irrigation, Amu Darya, Syr Darya, Uzbekistan, water security, climate adaptation.

Micklin, “The Future of the Aral Sea”, Table 1, p. 9: 1960-yilda Orol dengizi maydoni 67,499 km2, hajmi 1,089 km3, o‘rtacha sho‘rlanishi 10 g/l bo‘lgan.

World Bank, Uzbekistan - Policy Perspectives for Irrigation and Drainage Sector Reform, 2024, p. 1.

David Tarr and Eskender Trushin, “Did the Desire for Cotton Self-Sufficiency Lead to the Aral Sea Environmental Disaster?”, World Bank, 2006, p. 2.

Tarr and Trushin, World Bank, 2006, p. 2; Micklin, Annual Review, 2007, pp. 50-55.

Micklin, 'The Future of the Aral Sea', Table 1, p. 9.

Executive Committee of IFAS, History of IFAS; FAO, Irrigation in Central Asia in Figures, p. 136.

Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Joint Management on Utilization and Protection of Water Resources from Interstate Sources, Almaty, 18 February 1992, arts. 1-3.

FAO, Irrigation in Central Asia in Figures: AQUASTAT Survey - 2012, Rome, 2013, pp. 136, 151.

UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan, official fund profile and annual reporting materials, 2018-2024.

Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. UP-6024, 10 July 2020, On approval of the Concept of development of the water sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030.

Gov.uz, 13 August 2025: 2020-2024 yillarda suv xo‘jaligi uchun 60 trln so‘m budjet mablag‘i va 622 mln AQSh dollari xorijiy investitsiya yo‘naltirilgani ko‘rsatilgan.

UNDP Uzbekistan, 'Green Aral Sea' Initiative, March 2025.

Gov.uz, 13 August 2025, lines on 2,551 km irrigation reconstruction, 1.4 mln ha water-saving technologies, and expected savings up to 14 bln m3 by 2028.

Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. RP-250, 15 August 2025, On approval of the program for Water Resources Management and Development of the Irrigation Sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025-2028.

World Bank, Uzbekistan to Modernize Its Irrigation Infrastructure with World Bank Support, 21 May 2025.

World Bank, Uzbekistan Country Climate and Development Report, 2023, p. 38.

World Bank, Uzbekistan - Policy Perspectives for Irrigation and Drainage Sector Reform, 2024, pp. 1-5.

World Bank, Country Climate and Development Report: Uzbekistan, 2023, p. 38; World Bank press release, 21 May 2025.