UNFSS Independent Dialogue in Central Asia: Advancing Water-Energy-Food Nexus for achieving food systems transformation under climate uncertainties

Date and Time: 15/04/2021 | 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Meeting platform: Zoom (Will be shared soon), By invitation only

About:

Join us for an Independent Dialogue convened by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners to discuss water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in Central Asia. Insights emerging from this regional, multi-stakeholder forum will be presented at the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 #SDGS. The expected key outcome of this dialogue would be getting involved and sharing the views of Central Asian stakeholders on sustainable food systems transformation and the importance of WEF nexus under climate uncertainties. Reaching a common understanding of the challenges and finding local solutions to the challenges facing food and water systems transformation along with attendant issues of water security for a range of other sectors will be explored.

The session is designed to be interactive, allowing for small group discussion, collective brainstorming, and agenda-setting. As the region maps out the road to UNFSS 2021, this Dialogue will focus on the role of water and energy in food systems transformation. Speakers and panellists from across the world and the region will discuss how systems transformation for equitable food and water security in Central Asia can be achieved.

This dialogue is based on invitation and participants are expected to present from Key line Ministries and Agencies of Central Asian States, Academies of Sciences, National Research Institutions, Basin Authorities of the region, NGOs, Private Sectors and other Development Partners including CG Centers.

Curators:

Mr. Oyture Anarbekov, Country Manager IWMI-Central Asia Office
Dr. Kamiljon Akramov, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Meeting Agenda:

The Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving water and food security via video from Joachim von Braun (Chair of the Scientific Group for the UNFSS). (3-5 mins)

The Road to UNFSS2021: The role of water in food systems transformation by Dr. Mark Smith (DG, IWMI). (10 mins)

Representative of Key Line Ministry of the Region by representative of Central Asian Regional Organization (TBC). (10 mins)

Introduction to break-out groups by curator. (5 mins)

8 Breakout group discussion by all. (75 mins)

Plenary discussion on feedback from break-outs by all. (30 mins)

Wrap-up of key messages and next steps by the representative of the Central Asian Regional Organization (TBC). (10 mins)

Language:

Organizers will arrange simultaneous translation from English into Russian and vice-versa.

Thematic areas of breakout group discussions:

Dialogue is expecting to gather around hundred participants/stakeholders of the region and discuss topic in identified following eight breakout working groups.

1. Moving towards low carbon energy for food production. Key question: How can we sustainably produce more food in the region using low greenhouse gas energy sources?
2. Climate change impacts on water and food security. Key question: How can we sustainably enhance food security without compromising water security in the context of climate change?
3. Policy coherence and institutional coordination in water, food, energy, and climate change that operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: What practical steps can/should be taken to ensure policy coherence and institutional coordination to improve water, energy, and food security in the region?
4. Advancing technical WEF models, tools, and frameworks for decision-making at multiple scales. Key question: How can WEF nexus models/tools facilitate a new understanding of interdependencies and trade-offs in the WEF nexus, as well as foster data sharing and enhanced decision-making in the region?
5. Enhancing resilience of water system across multi-sector (agriculture, domestic, industry, and environment) demands. Key question: How do we build more resilient food and livelihood systems while protecting critical water sources, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services while satisfying growing water demand?
6. Socio-Economic Benefits of WEF Nexus. Key question: What steps need to be taken to assess the benefits and trade-offs across sectors, especially from a socio-economic point of view (employment, health, migration, equity, GDP, etc.)?
7. Community approaches to operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: How can we promote equity and inclusion in WEF nexus governance to create opportunities for transformation towards more just food, water, and energy systems?
8. Trading in the WEF nexus across scales. Key question: How do we build resilience in interconnected food systems, from local to global scales?

Click here to find out more about the UNFSS Dialogues.