Mongolia established basin councils for the Eroo River in 2007 and for the Tuul River in 2010, with the support of a project for strengthening IWRM in the country. However further efforts are needed in this area and, where established, councils need to be strengthened to function properly. Afghanistan is also making preparations for their establishment. The emergence of the water user cooperatives illustrates a shift to a more decentralized operation of irrigation facilities, an important step in reforming the irrigation and agriculture sectors.