Central Asia Europe Regional Water Security

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The Europe and Central Asia region is highly heterogeneous, and water security challenges vary widely. Some challenges, although relatively similar, are of a different size, especially given the different geographical, cultural, economic, and political departure points of each country. This assessment explores the main regional challenges and opportunities related to water security by delving into the situations faced by each of the three major subregions: the Danube, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. Despite the region’s heterogeneity, a common theme many countries share is the low and inconsistent political priority given to water. This report’s goal is therefore threefold: (a) to raise awareness among policy makers of the importance of prioritizing water (including allocating adequate funds) for people, the planet, and economic prosperity; (b) to stimulate national and regional policy dialogue to harness water for greater economic, social, and environmental good; and (c) to offer clear, actionable recommendations that orient policy makers and sector practitioners toward sustainable, long-term regional water security.

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH This report uses the Water Security Diagnostic Framework (WSDF) to undertake a holistic yet comprehensive assessment of water security in Europe and Central Asia. Water security is a complex, multidimensional, and multisectoral concept that is typically driven by a combination of environmental, socioeconomic, technological, and governance factors. Even when water is abundant and the hydrologic regime is favorable, there may be mismanagement (for example, poor pollution regulation) or inadequate investments that can lead to water insecurity. The WSDF seeks to analyze the relationship between a country’s evolving water endowment (the innermost ring in figure ES.1) and social (or people), economic, and environmental outcomes (depicted by the outermost ring in figure ES.1). It does so by examining water sector architecture, encompassing both infrastructure and institutions (the second ring in figure ES.1) and overall sector performance, including management of water resources, delivery of water-related services,

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Taxonomy

• Water Security
• Water Security
• Water Security
• Security