The region is poised to become one of the main suppliers of oil and gas for world energy markets, and its big rivers, if properly managed, have the capacity to provide enough water both for irrigation and for electricity exports to China, India, and Russia. But cooperation is needed both within the region and with key neighbors in order to realize effective regional water and energy management.
尽管设备的低效利用和糟糕维护使很多资源白白地浪费，中亚的能源及水利资源仍然非常丰富。每年由于低效水利管理造成的农业生产损失达到17亿美元以上。中亚地区即将成为世界能源市场主要的油气供应商，而且境内的河流如果管理得法，能够为中国、印度和俄罗斯提供充足的灌溉和发电资源。但要想实现地区水资源和能源的有效管理，不仅需要中亚国家相互精诚合作，还要与主要邻国建立密切的合作关系。