Abstract
This paper focuses on regional integration through the lenses of the Water–Food–Energy (WEF) nexus, a concept putting strong emphasis on cross-sectoral and multi-level interactions as well as on resource interdependencies. There is an extensive amount of published research focusing on the Aral Sea basin. In this paper, the authors build upon these different contributions and provide a meta-analysis of the literature of WEF nexus opportunities in Central Asia (CA) countries. This paper contributes to ongoing discussions regarding how the WEF Nexus can represent an opportunity for reinforced collaboration regarding resources management. To do so, focusing on existing literature, this paper first (1) explores how the nexus can be a relevant instrument for regional integration. Second (2), it provides an overview of water, food, energy conditions and challenges in the Aral Sea basin in particular. Third (3), synthesizing existing research, the authors identify critical variables to be considered as hurdles or leverage points for WEF nexus implementation in the Aral Sea basin. Finally (4), we go back to our initial set of questions and identify some possible avenues for future research.
Highlights
Central Asia (CA) is a young integrated region after the collapse of Soviet Union in the 1990s.Its population is over 70 million, while having rich mineral resources to cover energy demand.Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have long-lasting coal, oil resources that are used for electricity generation intensively
It is appropriate to say that the traditional energy system faces huge inefficiency and technical losses due to the old infrastructure established in the 1960s
This paper contributes to ongoing discussions [2,3,4] regarding how the WEF Nexus can represent an opportunity for reinforced collaboration regarding resources management
Summary
Central Asia (CA) is a young integrated region after the collapse of Soviet Union in the 1990s. Considering this context of strong interdependences between the basin‘s countries regarding the functioning of irrigation schemes in semi-arid areas and food and energy security, the stakes are high [11] This fact is reinforced by climate changes in the region that exacerbate an already difficult situation and become an important source for international tensions [12]. We underline the synergy opportunities of the WEF nexus conceptual framework to identify possible benefit-sharing mechanisms, to ensure equitable resources management across diverse institutional levels and sectors of activity in a transboundary setting [14,15] This is the case in a region where resource endowments vary widely among the different countries [16]. (4), we go back to our initial set of questions and identify some possible avenues for future research
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