Central Asia Human Development Report

The 1991 disintegration of the Soviet Union produced 5 new countries in Central Asia -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan. This report takes a comprehensive view of the prospects for regional cooperation in Central Asia, examining the benefits from breaking down barriers & achieving closer regional connections in a number of key areas. It demonstrates that increased cooperation among Central Asian countries will produce large economic gains in reducing trade costs, increasing remittances, & improving water & energy use. Cooperation will especially help the poor in the region, who will on balance gain more, while the cost of non-cooperation will fall especially on the poor & vulnerable. Illustrations.