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.
Upcoming Events
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International Conference on Water, Food, and Energy Nexus for Development (ICWFEND-26)
The International Conference on Water, Food, and Energy Nexus for Development (ICWFEND-26) is advancing practical and innovative solutions in the Water-Food-Energy Nexus for…
Recent News
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Blog // Harnessing Glacier Science for Resilient Water, Energy, and Food Systems in Central Asia
The article underscores the vital role of glaciers as lifelines for regional water security, emphasizing that integrating glacier monitoring into…
Blog // Securing Shared Waters: Regional Partnerships and Policy Innovations for Small Transboundary Rivers in Central Asia
Discover how regional experts and stakeholders in Central Asia are collaborating to unlock the overlooked potential of small transboundary rivers for…
Blog // Expanding Weather Station Networks for Climate Resilience and Data-Driven Water Management in Central Asia
With nearly 90% of the Central Asia's water withdrawals dedicated to irrigation, having access to accurate and timely data is essential for…
Recent Resources
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Research Article // A review of the water-energy-food nexus in Central Asia’s transboundary basins: trends, gaps and applications assessments
By Bamgboye et al. This study reviews WEF nexus research in Central Asia’s transboundary basins, identifying dominant trends, methodological gaps,…
Webinar // Nexus Seminar N.89: Observing and modelling climate-land-energy-water interactions in cold climate
Focusing on cold and cryosphere-affected regions, this seminar highlights how integrated CLEW modeling and observations can support better…
Research Article // Systems-thinking innovations for water security
By Alamanos et al. This study argues that achieving water security in an era of climate change and socioeconomic complexity requires a…