CAIEF: Assessing the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems nexus
Side-event “Lessons learned from assessing the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems nexus: approaches, findings and possible responses and contribution” was held in the frame of the Central Asian International Environmental Forum. It was organized by CAREC, the International Union for Conversation of Nature, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
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The main objective of the meeting was to introduce a concept of Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus and to present information about experience and best practices, which exist in this area.
This meeting was attended by the representatives of national governmental bodies, research and expert communities, members of international organizations.
Speakers of the session were presented by:
- Mr Jean-Louis Lavroff, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Ms Saltanat Zhakenova, Leading specialist of the Environmental Management Programme, CAREC
- Mr Peep Mardiste, Regional Coordinator, National Policy Dialogues under EU Water Initiatives, the United Economic Commission for Europe
- Mr Boris Erg, Director, International Union for Conversation of Nature in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO)
Participants learned about scope of outcomes of previous Nexus related initiatives implemented in Central Asia and best international practices which potentially can be considered for implementation in the region. In particular, Mr Peep Mardiste presented UNECE recommendations on nexus based activities in Syrdarya Basin. Among those activities: revival of energy market, agriculture trade development between countries, transfer of energy, increasing efficiency of water use, especially in agriculture.
Mr Boris Erg presented the research of multipurpose infrastructure facilities in Volta and Victoria Basins (South Africa), identifying the main obstacles towards practical application of the nexus approach. They are infrastructure problems and limited technical capacities of the participants. As joint usage of such facilities is introduced, the issues of costs and benefits sharing and the influence of interstate will come first.
As a result of the meeting, participants agreed to continue the discussion of nexus approach and opportunities provided by the project “Central Asia Nexus Dialogue project: Fostering Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus Dialogue and Multi-Sector Investment” at following national consultations.
The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by CAREC in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in five countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
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To learn more:
- Presentation of Ms. Zhakenova here
- Presentation of Mr. Mardiste here
- Presentation of Mr. Erg here