RESULTS AND IMPACT WATER–ENERGY–FOOD NEXUS Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) Promoting cooperative solutions for a sustainable future in Central Asia RELEVANCE FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND SECURITY Climate change is reshaping water, energy and food systems across the OSCE region, particularly in Central Asia. Seasonal variability, growing demand and transboundary dependencies are increasing risks linked to scarcity, socio-economic pressures and regional stability. Without integrated planning, climate change increases the likelihood of: Disrupted irrigation and food systems Reduced hydropower generation Heightened tensions over shared resources Why Integrated WEF Planning Matters The WEF Nexus recognizes that water, energy and food systems are deeply interconnected. Decisions in one sector directly affect the others, creating synergies or trade-offs. Integrated planning and governance help move beyond siloed decision-making to strengthen resource security, sustainability and resilience. What is the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus? Key Regional Pressures Rising pressure on water resources Rising demand for water, energy and food WATER ENERGY FOOD High dependence on irrigation 90%+ of water withdrawals used by agriculture of farmland is irrigated in Central Asia ~80% Climate change and increasing variability are intensifying trade-offs between: Agriculture and food production Hydropower and energy security Industry and domestic water use while only 10% of land is arable Global trends reinforce regional risks ~70% Share of global freshwater used by agriculture ~15% Share of global freshwater linked to energy production By 2030, demand may increase by: ~35% water ~40% energy ~50% food Growing demand Up to 90 million people projected in Central Asia by 2050 Or ganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
RESULTS AND IMPACT Fore more information contact: Letizia Zuliani Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Letizia.Zuliani@osce.org Aligned With: Linking Regional Action to Global Processes Impact at a Glance From Capacity Building to Global Impact Implemented as part of Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention – Phase III Drops of the Future From learning to action 150+ Practical inputs into policy and dialogue processes Enhanced skills to manage water–energy–food trade-offs Strengthened youth and women’s networks young professionals trained countries engaged OSCE ACTION & IMPACT In response, the OCEEA together with the Swiss Government and partners launched the “Drops of the Future” workshop series. Implemented across Central Asia, the initiative has addressed climate-related risks in the Water–Energy–Food Nexus and equipped young professionals with tools to manage competing water demands through co-operative, consensus-based approaches. The OSCE has collaborated with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners to ensure youth perspectives from Central Asia contribute to international water and food dialogues, including the Rome Water Dialogue, the World Food Forum and UN water-related processes. Integrated WEF Nexus approaches are essential for resilience, stability and peace. OSCE Action: Turning Nexus Thinking into Practice OSCE’s Added Value FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE: 5 The OSCE brings a distinct security-oriented perspective to WEF Nexus implementation by combining: A trusted and neutral platform for dialogue A strong regional presence through Field Operations Expertise at the intersection of environmental governance, co-operation and conflict prevention Or ganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA)