Nexus Regional Dialogue Central Asia // Training of Trainers in Dushanbe

This article is also available in Russian.

This article was initially published on the CAREC website on July 4th 2023

The event was held within the framework of the Integrated Rural Development Project/TRIGGER, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented in consortium with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), GFA Consulting Group and HELVETAS.

The training was aimed at promoting an understanding of the interconnection of sectors to achieve water, energy, food and environmental security of the countries and the Central Asian region.

The participants received not only theoretical knowledge about the interdependence of sectors and the need for intersectoral management and coordination, but also discussed practical examples of synergies and trade-offs, existing tools for assessing relationships and financial mechanisms. The practical part of the training included a discussion of Nexus cases and interactive modeling of the Nexus approach through the interactive Nexus Game.

“The WEF Nexus approach is a holistic and integrated approach for coordinating policies, making compromises and promoting multisectoral cooperation necessary for the sustainable development of each state. Our training helped to expand the understanding of the full depth of the linkages between sectors and examples of their synergy for more rational use of resources, adaptation to climate change and finding compromises for ecosystem security,” – said Ludmila Kiktenko, EMP’s Manager.

The Nexus Game allowed the participants of the training to try on the roles of ministers of agriculture, energy and water resources and taught them to find a compromise between the water, energy and food sectors to make effective decisions.

“The game allowed not only to present the concept of the "water-energy-food" approach in an interactive format, but also clearly illustrated the problems and conflicts between countries located upstream and downstream,” – said Zamira Zholdaskyzy, Coordinator for development of Community of Practice and Network of Academia Society.

Brief history

The Nexus Training was created by the Regional Nexus Dialogues Programme jointly funded by the EU and BMZ, in cooperation with the independent think tank Adelphi in 2022 in order to promote the implementation of the WEF Nexus approach worldwide. The training consists of 3 modules, which contain theoretical materials and practical exercises, cases. The interactive Nexus Simulation (Nexus Game) is also played as part of the training.

The Nexus Simulation was developed by the Centre for Systems Solutions in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the “Sustainable Energy for All” Initiative. The history of its implementation in the Central Asian region began in 2018 within the framework of the EU project "Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia" implemented by CAREC. The game represents a facilitated process of playing 5 different scenarios for developing the territories upstream and downstream while addressing water needs of population, industry and agriculture and taking into account climate change challenges. Currently, the Nexus Game is actively promoted by CAREC in universities, academies, basin organizations and media in Central Asia with with funding from the EU and USAID.

Additional information:

Ludmila Kiktenko

EMP’s Manager

Email: lkiktenko@carececo.org

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