DUSHANBE, 21.11.2024 /NIAT “Khovar”/. The Central Asian countries need to cooperate in sharing water resources, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Dmitry Maryasin said at the event  “Accelerating action to combat climate change through regional cooperation on water, energy, food, and ecosystems» held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

“In Central Asia, more than anywhere else, it is necessary for countries to cooperate not only on water sharing but also to take into account the interconnection between water, energy, and food, clearly outlining these points at bilateral meetings of the countries of the region, so that food security is not left aside when building large dams,” he said.

Regional cooperation, according to the UNECE representative, plays an important role in the more efficient use of resources needed for energy production.

“This requires the development of hydropower, which is key to ensuring grid reliability and storage adequacy. Water will also be needed to ramp up the production of rare metals and critical minerals needed for the energy transition. In doing so, it is important to manage the competing needs of agriculture, water, and energy,” said Maryasin.

As an example of such an initiative, the Deputy Executive Secretary cited the new Nexus project in Central Asia, implemented by UNECE together with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with the participation of EBRD, FAO, and other partners