CENTRAL ASIA – Today, the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) of the European Union funded project “Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia” held its 5th meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the participation of the RSC members nominated by Central Asian (CA) countries, international partners and experts.
The meeting took stock of the interim results achieved by the project, including on the institutionalization of the Nexus approach through the interactive Nexus Simulation and the implementation of small demonstration projects.
“Sustainable water and energy are key priorities for the EU in Central Asia. In line with the EU Green Deal, we promote a more efficient use of such vital resources as water, energy and food. The Nexus approach helps find optimal solutions to ensure that actions in one sector positively contribute to progress in other sectors. We are fully committed to support the green transition through viable investment projects to contribute to the region’s long-term resilience, peace and prosperity,” stated Mr Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan.
The international consultants “Deltares” and “Altus Impact” presented the results of their analytical works for the demo project at the Tuyamuyun Hydroelectric Complex (THC), including the findings on the sediment removal from the Ruslovoe reservoir and its subsequent recycling. A profit and loss analysis was conducted for dredging 1-2 million cubic meters of sediments as an urgent measure that would require the investment of USD 2.4-4.4 million per year. To date, all activities envisaged under the four demonstration projects in CA countries have been completed. The project team will now work on developing investment proposals on the sediment recycling at THC and the modernization of pumping stations in Tajikistan, which will be presented to potential investors at a later stage of the project.
“The demonstration projects have addressed acute and urgent issues for the region, such as the reservoirs’ growing sedimentation, afforestation of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea, and the low energy efficiency of pumping stations which supply water for irrigation of agricultural crops. Although the demonstration projects were specifically designed and implemented at the national level, the RSC members closely monitored and studied the results to benefit from the deliverables and replicate them in all countries of the Aral Sea basin. We need to continue working on the integration of the Nexus approach in our multi-sector and cross-border planning, national and regional governance systems,” noted Mr Serik Bekmagambetov, Authorised Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).
The project "Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia" is implemented by the Central Asian Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC). The project’s duration: June 2020 – June 2023; total budget: EUR 1.25 million, including the EU’s contribution of EUR 1 million.
The second phase (2020-2023) of the European Union project "Central Asian Dialogue to Promote Sectoral Financing through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus" is a continuation of the first phase (2016-2019) and is being implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). The project’s duration: June 2020 – May 2023; total budget: EUR 1.25 million with the EU’s contribution of EUR 1 million. The project is a part of the global Nexus Dialogue Programme, which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in five regions.