The foundations of transboundary water cooperation in the Aral Sea basin were established in the Soviet era, in a unified economy with common plans. Moscow set a regional goals, monitored of obligations, regulated legal, financial and economic relations between the Cental Asian countries. In that time, the regional mechanism of distribution of regional benefits and compensation was effective and successful. After independence, cooperation was continued by the countries themselves and cited as an example to other basins. However, due to population growth (since the 1960s it has grown more than 3 times), growing economies and climate change, conflicts on water issues have started to increase. As time showed, the mechanisms supporting cooperation seemed successful as long as there was enough water. The Author, Dr. Bulat K. Yessekin, leading international expert in environmental, climate change and water sectors, analised situation with regional cooperation and proposed a way forward with practical recommendations.