Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme

Phase II

#projectDetails

#projectOrganisation:

Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC); Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ); Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP-SA)

#projectPartners:

National Partners in Central Asia; Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); League of Arab States (LAS); Niger Basin Authority (NBA); Southern African Development Community (SADC)

#projectImplementationPeriod:

July 2020 – June 2023

#projectBeneficiaryCountries:

Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); Middle East and North Africa (MENA); Niger Basin; Southern Africa

#projectFunding:

European Union (EU), German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Key Resources

Factsheet // Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme

#download (PDF, 934,042 KB)

The Water, Energy and Food security Nexus Principles

#download (PDF, 426,908 KB)

Water-Energy-Food Nexus Literature Review // A Review of Nexus Literature and ongoing Nexus Initiatives for Policymakers

#download (PDF, 1,704 MB)

Access to natural resources and healthy ecosystems is essential for human wellbeing, dignity and sustainable livelihoods. Natural resource management and governance are, however, highly complex and water, food, and energy security are multifaceted. Worldwide, scarce natural resources and the environment are increasingly exploited while at the same time the demand for freshwater, agricultural products and energy is rising. Inequalities in the distribution and access to water, energy and food are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach addresses this complex reality and recognises that water, energy and food security can only be achieved through safeguarding, protecting and upholding natural resources. It contributes to a better understanding of the deep interconnectedness between natural resources and their planning, management and consumption. For example, pumping to irrigate crops can lead to over-exploitation of water resources. The cultivation of biofuel crops, while they provide renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, can compete with food production for land and water.

At its heart, the WEF Nexus promotes a holistic and integrated way of thinking and acting to ensure inclusive water, energy and food security in a sustainable way. It turns attention to opportunities: untangling trade-offs, inspiring compromises and uncovering synergies. It further promotes policy coherence and multi-sectoral cooperation at all levels.

Objectives

Building on the results of Phase I, the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme Phase II aims to institutionalise the WEF Nexus approach in national and regional governance structures and investment decisions and to engage the public and private investors for WEF Nexus projects.

Approach and Activities

The Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme is implemented in Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Northern Africa, the Niger Basin and Southern Africa in cooperation with regional partner organisations.

Together with its regional partners, the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme assists stakeholders to bring the WEF Nexus approach to the mainstream of governance and investment. Concrete policy recommendations and governance frameworks for an integrated natural resource management are developed. Furthermore, investment opportunities for multi-sectoral projects are identified. In order to complement this work with evidence-based arguments, the programme contributes to the operationalization and impact assessment of WEF Nexus demonstration projects in the regions.

Through innovative training, the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme builds both enthusiasm and capacity for multi-sectoral WEF Nexus decision making and investment planning. Hands-on tools, guidelines and best practices to take the WEF Nexus approach from theory to practice, are disseminated through participation in international events and the Nexus Resource Platform (www.water-energy-food.org).

The Global Nexus Secretariat based at GIZ headquarters in Germany, supports the five Nexus Regional Dialogues with technical assistance and facilitates cross-regional exchange and learning.