Researchers and policymakers can only bridge the gap between them if there is some sort of intermediate actor that allows for a double filtering mechanism: from policy strategies to research to address knowledge needs and from research to policy to communicate relevant conclusions.
A number of actors can fulfil such a filtering role. First of all, researchers themselves need to learn how to communicate their research results to policymakers. An ad hoc or permanent advisory council for specific policy domains could be set up to assess knowledge needs and policy options. Existing NGOs and think tanks should also work to facilitate connections between the scientific expert community and policy in areas where they fail to do so themselves.
One way of addressing such needs may be the establishment of an all-inclusive regional Centre of Excellence on the Amu Darya Basin. Such a Centre can become a key driver as regards linking policymakers with researchers, and can play a unique role in meeting current and future capacity needs in the management of the shared water resources in the region.
In addition, networks like the Amu Darya Basin Network (ADBN) can become very important. Within such a network, researchers could send their reports to policymakers and policymakers can make clear which issues need to be addressed in research. This would strengthen contacts between experts and policymakers in all directions. Such a network should preferably have a permanent advisory function through research support and guidance for policy coordination in the areas relevant to land use, hydrology, integrated water management, international water law and rural development. Moreover, such a network could facilitate multi-lingual training of students, farmers and professionals in all matters relating to basin-wide management of the Amu Darya’s water resources.