CAREC Institute Contributes to Regional Forum on Water–Food–Energy Nexus in the GMS

The CAREC Institute took part in the regional forum “Managing the Water–Food–Energy (WFE) Nexus for Sustainable Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS),” held July 16–18, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Co-organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Mekong River Commission (MRC), and Mekong Institute (MI), the event brought together over 100 participants from government, international organizations, development agencies, and academia.

The CAREC Institute delegation, represented by Mr. Turdakun Tashbolotov, Chief of the Strategic Planning Division, and Mr. Merdan Yazyyev, Senior Strategic Planning Specialist, contributed regional perspectives and explored opportunities for interregional collaboration.

Mr. Yazyyev’s presentation, “Bridging Regions: Sharing WFE Nexus Solutions between CAREC and the GMS,” showcased Central Asia’s responses to nexus challenges such as water scarcity and climate change. He highlighted practical solutions, including afforestation in the Aral Sea region, irrigation modernization, and early hydrological warning systems. He also identified opportunities for mutual learning and cooperation, including technology transfer, joint pilot projects, and policy dialogue.

Mr. Tashbolotov, in his presentation on improving WFE nexus management, provided a data-driven overview of Central Asia’s water, food, and energy systems, emphasizing key trade-offs and challenges such as governance fragmentation and climate impacts. He underscored the important roles of regional organizations and development partners, including IFAS, ADB, the World Bank, and GIZ, in advancing the WFE nexus. Mr. Tashbolotov called for greater cooperation in areas such as transboundary water management, joint monitoring, and capacity building.

The forum provided a valuable platform and new opportunities for the GMS and CAREC regions to work more closely together through joint research, sharing knowledge, and making shared investments. On the sidelines, the CAREC Institute team met with partners from the Mekong Institute, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), and UNOSSC to discuss future cooperation and joint studies.