Towards Water Security in Central Asia: Evaluation of Experts’ Views through Delphi Approach

Abstract

<p>Water security in Central Asia has been studied by researchers and international organizations using hydrological, engineering, and modeling approaches. Attention has been paid on assessments about water security and insecurity perceptions in Central Asia. Various assessments have perceived water securitization concept through technical, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions. This paper attempts to identify the current trends of water security and insecurity perceptions in Central Asian as evaluated through different experts from the region. The experts originate from a diverse professional background like ministries, NGOs, research, and academic institutes.  The analysis is conducted through the Delphi approach, which has been widely used for the identification of experts' views by also attempting to reach a consensus on various subjects. In this study, the Delphi method will help in the elicitation of experts’ opinions about different dimensions and attributes of water security that have been suggested from the relevant literature.  An online questionnaire will be designed where the participating experts will be initially asked to express their views towards different security components (1<sup>st</sup> questionnaire round). The questionnaire results will be circulated among the experts in two more sequential rounds to query about their consent with the outcomes while the anonymity of respondents will be ensured.</p>