SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES: TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS MANAGEMENT GAPS BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND CHINA (CASE OF ILI AND IRTYSH)

摘要

Sustainable development became the main idea, promising comprehensive development and prosperity since the end of 20th century, starting from ecological movements in the 70s and covering key issues of human being. Water shortage and management issues are crucial and they are on the permanent agenda worldwide. Transboundary rivers management covers practically all regions and many countries worldwide. The issues is quiet relevant for China and Kazakhstan as they share twenty three rivers to use. These rivers are essential for the development of a number of region promoting agriculture and sustainable coexisting. Ili and Irtysh are rivers of some special impotence due of their routes and length and size. The management of these rivers, even in spite of their natural features and ecosystems conditions, is of particular political significance in the bilateral and multilateral relations. Within the two decades China and Kazakhstan try to contribute by developing technical issues cooperation, negotiating process and creation of effective comprehensive mechanism to manage the process. Nevertheless, the situation has practically not changed within the time. This can be explained by various reasons including Chinese and Kazakhstan features of national law, policy and different approaches to the issue. Another issue is the lack of academic studies based on different disciplines. To fill these gaps should be used multidisciplinary approach based on the theoretical basis of 'Sustainable Development' and political science methodology.