Astana, Kazakhstan – On December 8, 2023 USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity, together with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, conducted an interactive Nexus simulation (Nexus game).
The Nexus game allowed participants to understand the basics of managing water, energy and food resources in order to achieve sustainable development of the region. 14 teachers and master's students of the Academy discussed issues of managing transboundary water bodies of countries located downstream and upstream of the river, and proposed joint solutions.
«This training became the basis for our future civil servants in their work to ensure water, energy and food security in Kazakhstan and taught them the basics of negotiations at the regional level. I believe that the provided training is a huge contribution to the development of not only the country, but also the entire region», noted Marhabo Yodalieva, Capacity Development, and Education Lead, USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity.
The role-played scenarios helped students understand the basics of ensuring water, energy and food security of the country and region through the rational use and distribution of resources and mutually beneficial negotiations.
«The Nexus game is an excellent tool for understanding the management of water, energy and food resources in a country and region. It helps to master methods of rational use of resources to ensure the well-being of the population. I believe that such knowledge is very useful for future government managers», emphasized Arman Nurmaganbetov, professor at the Institute of Management, Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Brief reference
The Nexus Simulation was developed by the Centre for Systems Solutions in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the “Sustainable Energy for All” Initiative. The history of its implementation in the Central Asian region began in 2018 within the framework of the EU project "Nexus Dialogue in Central Asia" implemented by CAREC. The game represents a facilitated process of playing 5 different scenarios for developing the territories upstream and downstream while addressing water needs of population, industry and agriculture and taking into account climate change challenges. Currently, the Nexus Game is actively promoted by CAREC in universities, academies, basin organizations and media in Central Asia with with funding from the EU and USAID.
Additional information: Ludmila Kiktenko, Environmental Management Program Manager, CAREC, lkiktenko@carececo.org
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