event 29 May 2018

Central Asia Nexus Dialogue Project // Fostering Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus Dialogue and Multi-Sector Investment

Central Asia Nexus Dialogue project: Fostering Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus Dialogue and Multi-Sector Investment is an EU-funded project that is part of a global program with activities also in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Logo nexus in central asia 01

The project at a glance

In Central Asia, the project is implemented by the Regional environmental centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) from December 2016 to December 2019, with a budget of EUR 1.3 million.

The ultimate goal of the project is to prepare the ground for investments within the EU Nexus Dialogues Programme (Phase II). To achieve this goal, the project supports development of regional investment programme “Aral Sea Basin Program” (ASBP) by fostering multi-sectoral dialogue and cooperation nationally and regionally. The partners of the project are the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and state bodies dealing with water and energy resources management, agriculture, economic development and environmental issues in five CA countries.

Need for a multi-sectoral approach

Population growth, regional socio-economic development, climate change as well as changing consumption patterns contribute to increased demands for water, energy and food. To achieve security in all three WEF sectors, it is important to understand their interdependence and the inherent trade-offs necessary to meet the needs of the diverse users. Multi-sectoral cooperation and planning provides a framework for balancing the various interests of sectors in a sustainable manner.

In Central Asia, WEF security is at the heart of socio-economic and human development. The need for an integrated use of water and energy resources is recognized at the highest political level. And as the water and energy resources of the region are highly imbalanced, WEF security can only be achieved through regional cooperation and multi-sectoral planning approach.

IFAS as a key beneficiary

IFAS is the only intergovernmental structure dealing with water and environment at a regional level by advancing transboundary cooperation in Central Asia. It was established in the early nineties by the Heads of States of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan with the initial aim of funding joint projects and programs to save the Aral Sea and to improve the ecological situation in the surrounding area. Over the years, a socio-economic development focus at the scale of the entire basin has emerged in addition to environmental goals.

On 30 January 2018 the IFAS Executive Committee decided to launch the development of the fourth edition of the Aral Sea Basin Program (ASPB-4). This decision, combined with recent Presidents-level initiatives to enhance cooperation among Central Asian States, is a unique window of opportunity for integrating the WEF security nexus into ASBP planning process.

Further information and contact

For information on the Global Nexus Dialogues Programme visit the Central Asia page of the Nexus Resources Platform.

For more information about the Nexus Project in Central Asia contact:

Stay up to date!

We inform you about current projects, events, actions, publications and news!