In order to avoid collapse of the agricultural sectors the countries extended the water management principles and quota systems inherited from the Soviet era.
In February 1992, the five countries entered into agreement on Cooperation in the Joint Use and Protection of Water Resources of Interstate Significance. By signing this agreement, the Central Asian states pledged “strictly to observe the coordinated procedures and established rules on use and protection of water resources,” while recognizing the Aral Sea as of common interest to the five countries. The agreement also formed an Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) authorized to determine annual water consumption limits in accordance with actual water availability which subsumed the two existing basin water organizations.
In addition, the Aral Sea crisis has attracted international agencies and donors who link economic and political reforms with environmental and conflict issues. They have since then provided technical and financial assistance related to the Aral Sea (under Aral Sea Basin Programs).
An important element of current Aral Sea Basin Program is an establishment of Central Asian Water Information Base (CAREWIB). It aims at the improvement of information provision in water and environmental sectors in Central Asian countries in order to promote transparency openness and foster public support for rational natural resources use.
Bibliographic database was developed, and E-library includes e-versions of publications, international and national water law documents, international conventions, and other knowledge generated in the region.