Central Asia
The region of Central Asia consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Here, water management is a critical issue, as diversion of water for agriculture accounts for more than 90% of the total water usage, mainly for cotton fields in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Due to leaking irrigation channels and unsustainable monocultures, soil salinity increases, and huge amounts of water loss put stress on the water supplies. Balancing the needs for agricultural production and the generation of energy through hydropower is challenging, as the waterflow is disrupted. . Climate change and population increases will put additional stress on the region’s water resources with 10 to 30% less water available in the aforementioned rivers by 2050.
As a result of the growing awareness of the need to adopt a Nexus approach in the region, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), in cooperation with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), are implementing the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme activities. The project is part of the Global Nexus Programme
of the Nexus Dialogues held in five regions of the world financed by the European Union (EU) and the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Phase II of the project Phase II will focus on the development of tools and practical application of the Nexus
approach for:
a) a joint implementation of transboundary projects based on the WEF Nexus approach;
b) identification of suitable funding mechanisms for such projects;
c) strengthening the competence of
experts in the practical application of the WEF Nexus approach in planning and investment decisions
to ensure sustainable development and enhanced water, energy and food security in Central Asia.
Recent News
Show All NewsNexus News // Sustainability assessment of the WEFE Nexus for irrigated agriculture: Interdisciplinary approaches for Central Asia (WEFCA)
This article provides insights of the Nexus Gains Initiative´s 2nd International Summer School 2023 held from August 21 to 25, 2023 in Tashkent,…
Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia // Construction Materials from the THC sediment proves their suitability for construction
The Central Asian Institute of Environmental Research (CAIER) has received confirmation from the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the…
Nexus Regional Dialogue Central Asia // Training of Trainers in Dushanbe
From July 3 to 8, representatives of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) – Environmental Management Programme’s Manager…
Recent Resources
Show All ResourcesResearch Report // Water-Agriculture-Energy Nexus through the Lens of Climate Change
By Atabek Umirbekov, Almaz Akhmetov, Zafar Gafurov. This study examines the climate vulnerabilities of the water, agriculture, and energy sectors in…
Legacy of the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme // Final Products
After six years of diligent implementation, the conclusion of the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme, was successfully achieved in June 2023.…
Study // Lessons Learned Study: Insights gained from the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme
The Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme, which ran from 2016 to 2023, sought to identify the most effective institutional arrangements, methodologies…