By Maha Al-Zu’bi (IWMI), Maximilian Olp (GIZ) & Sten Schurer (GIZ)
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) collaborated to deliver two sessions as part of the seminar series “Technical Solutions for Secure Water Supplies to Help Build Stability and Peace” at World Water Week 2024. These sessions discussed cutting-edge technical solutions aimed at strengthening water security within the broader context of transboundary cooperation through the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus. This is a holistic approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of water, energy, food systems and ecosystems.
The sessions brought together over 110 participants, both online and onsite, from a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of government institutions, the private sector and academia. The aim was to create a collaborative environment for presenting and discussing innovative technical solutions for tackling the unique challenges of transboundary water management, such as equitable water distribution, conflict resolution, and the integration of water management with energy and food security.
The first online session, “Technical solutions for secure water supplies: Introduction to technical solutions”, looked at technical solutions and tools like decision support systems (DSS); remote sensing; real-time monitoring tools; water-centric WEFE nexus approaches that can help countries respond to internal and external water issues; and the potential of deep groundwater as an alternative freshwater source. These are solutions that foster adaptation to changing climate conditions and protect biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems within and across boundaries. Examples were shown from Central Asia, with a case study from Uzbekistan, and Sub-Saharan Africa, through a case study from the Niger basin.
The second in-person session, “Technical solutions for secure water supplies: WEFE-Nexus in Transboundary Contexts”, presented robust scientific evidence and technical solutions and their integration into the WEFE Nexus and transboundary water management. The session shared lessons learned and created a common understanding of challenges and scaling opportunities in applying solutions to enhance cooperation on national, cross-sectoral, and cross-boundary levels. The session aimed to contribute to an enhanced understanding of the potential transboundary implications of any water-related intervention conducted unilaterally in a basin with shared water resources.
Technical solutions within the framework of the WEFE Nexus in transboundary contexts
IWMI and GIZ’s work in advancing technical solutions within the WEFE Nexus is crucial for managing shared water resources in transboundary contexts. These solutions often involve integrating advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to optimize resource use and strengthen resilience across borders.
For example, IWMI has deployed remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to enable real-time monitoring of water availability and quality, providing critical data for joint management decisions. IWMI has promoted the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and small hydropower, to reduce dependency on shared water resources for energy production, thereby alleviating pressure on transboundary water bodies. Innovations in water-efficient agricultural practices and precision irrigation help maximize food production with minimal water use, benefiting all countries involved.
GIZ has developed specialized nexus guidelines and governance structures for different regions to help stakeholders better manage their natural resources while providing technical expertise, fostering dialogue and enhance institutional capacity to ensure that transboundary water management is sustainable and benefits all parties involved. GIZ provides technical and financial support to individual companies that provide innovative technical solutions in the WEFE Nexus. For example, the first weather forecasting mobile application developed specifically for tropical climates which helps farmers with irrigation planning and reduce their water consumption, or microfinance institutions that offer digital loans and financing models specifically designed for WEFE Nexus solutions.
Future directions and innovations
Enhanced Integration of Technology: Future initiatives will likely see greater integration of advanced technologies such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence to improve monitoring, data sharing, and decision-making. These technologies can offer real-time insights and facilitate more precise and transparent management of water, energy, and food resources across borders.
Strengthened Collaborative Platforms: The development of more robust collaborative platforms will be crucial. These platforms should support cross-border data sharing, joint research, and stakeholder engagement, enabling countries to work together more effectively in managing shared resources. Multilateral agreements and partnerships will become more sophisticated, incorporating diverse stakeholder inputs, and addressing complex transboundary challenges.
Holistic and Adaptive Management Approaches: Future strategies will emphasize adaptive management approaches that can respond to changing conditions and emerging challenges. Integrated water management systems that account for the interdependencies of water, energy, food, and ecosystems will become increasingly important, allowing for flexible responses to fluctuations in resource availability and demand.
Focus on Resilience and Sustainability: There will be a stronger emphasis on building resilience and sustainability in WEFE systems. This includes investing in infrastructure that can withstand climate change impacts, developing sustainable practices for resource use, and promoting innovations that enhance the resilience of ecosystems and communities.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Continued efforts will be made to build the capacity of institutions and individuals involved in transboundary water management. Training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives will play a key role in equipping stakeholders with the skills and information needed to implement effective WEFE solutions.
Cross-Sectoral Policy Development: Future policies will increasingly address the interconnected nature of water, energy, food, and ecosystems. Policymakers will need to develop and implement integrated strategies that consider the interactions between these sectors, ensuring that policies are coherent and support sustainable development goals.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging local communities and stakeholders will remain a priority. Ensuring that all affected parties have a voice in decision-making processes will help to build trust, foster cooperation, and ensure that solutions are tailored to the specific needs and conditions of different regions. Further, ensuring that innovative WEFE solutions address issues of equity and inclusivity will be essential. Future initiatives will strive to balance resource use and benefits across different regions and communities, promoting fair and equitable access to resources and opportunities.
These directions will guide the continued advancement of WEFE solutions, aiming to enhance transboundary cooperation and achieve sustainable management of shared resources.
This work is supported by CGIAR Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa, and the GIZ program Global Water Security for resilient Development.
