Expert workshop "Benefits of regional cooperation on the energy-water-land nexu transformation in Central Asia"

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USAID | Central Asia
Overview of USAID’s Work
on Transboundary Water Cooperation
and the
Water/Energy/Food nexus
Ruby Shamayleh
Water and Environment Team Leader
June 08, 2021
OECD’s workshop on the benefits of regional
cooperation on the energy-water-land nexus
transformation in Central Asia

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Central Asia’s Water Dependence
The reality of the Central Asian
water sector is that most
countries are not self-sufficient,
and all of them rely on external
sources to fulfill their needs
Percentage of Total Renewable Water Resources
Originating Outside the Country
Source: *FAO Aquastat
External Water Dependency
Low High
KZ
(41%)
UZ (80%)
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Kyrgyz Republic
Tajikistan
Afghanistan
41%
80%
97%
29%
17%
1%

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Key Challenges and Threats
Central Asian countries face a multi-faceted water situation driven by historical challenges and
anticipated threats that cross national boundaries and defy simple solutions
Historic Challenges Anticipated Challenges
Increasing
Demand
Climate
Change
Trans-boundary
Tensions
Outdated
Framework

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4
The Aral Sea 1970 The Aral Sea 2016
The Aral Sea Environmental Disaster

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At the nexus of the water challenge in Central Asia is the divide between upstream, water-rich-but-energy-
poor countries and downstream, water-poor-but-energy-rich countries
Tension Between Upstream & Downstream Countries*
Source: *USAID Regional Cooperation Development Strategy
Downstream Countries
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
 Upstream rivers provide approximately
90% of water needed for agriculture*
 Upstream countries preserve water in
reservoirs through the winter to
produce water-intensive crops in
summer
Upstream Countries
Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan
 Possess 90% of the economically
viable hydropower potential in the
region, largely untapped*
 Have limited hydrocarbons, so
energy is heavily tied to water

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USAID’s program in Central Asia includes bilateral and regional activities within the following key
economic development sectors
USAID Priorities in Central Asia’s Key Economic Development Sectors
Agriculture
Water
Trade &
Investment
Energy
Climate
Change

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Regional Cooperation Including with Afghanistan

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USAID’s WATER and Vulnerable Environment Project
Basin Councils that are
sustainable and promote
cooperation for mutual
economic benefits (RDS
and STIP)
Human capital and
educational institutions
that address the WEF
nexus issues
Enhance Regional dialogue
on transboundary water
resources and WEF nexus
to promote stability,
economic prosperity and
healthy ecosystems
Address regional and
national emerging
environmental challenges

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Generic, object-oriented, water
resources management modeling
platform

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Robust Decision Support Process
Co-develop inputs to
WEAP and LEAP models
with stakeholders

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Thank You
For questions contact:
Ruby Shamayleh
USAID/Central Asia
Water and Environment Team Leader
Email: rshamayleh@usaid.gov