SIC ICWC CALLS FOR STRONGER WATER PILLAR UNDER THE SPECA PROGRAM
On November 21-22, 2023, the SPECA Economic Forum was held in Baku, Azerbaijan under the theme "Transforming the SPECA Region into a Connectivity Hub with Global Outreach”.
The United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was established on March 26, 1998. UNECE and ESCAP jointly provide overall support to the Program. Azerbaijan chairs the SPECA Program in 2023.
2023 SPECA Economic Forum was focused on the increased significance of connectivity in the face of new challenges. The 2023 SPECA Economic Forum was co-chaired by Í. E. Mr. Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr. Dmitry Maryasin, UNECE Deputy Executive Secretary.
The forum highlighted contribution of the digital transformation of data and document exchange along joint trade and transport route to making the economies of the region greener, circular and inclusive.
A separate session was devoted to green energy connectivity in the SPECA region for resilient and carbon neutral energy systems. The regional energy system in Central Asia contains huge untapped potential and, together with partners in the region, SPECA participating States are working to diversify energy transit routes and sources to global markets.
The final session of the Forum featured academic and research institutions for a discussion on strategic foresight perspective for SPECA, with a long-term for harnessing international cooperation to consolidate economic cooperation and integration for the next 25 years.
Director of SIC ICWC, Dinara Ziganshina in particular noted the importance of including water in future SPECA activities, considering that water is the basis of economy and human well-being, and existing and upcoming challenges will have a significant impact on water availability.
Joint activities should be focused on:
- Data, modeling and research
- Planning, forecasting and decision support
- Water and energy use efficiency
- Climate adaptation and ecosystem protection
- Education, upbringing and awareness-raising
- Mobilizing private sector and public-private partnership mechanisms
- Institutional and legal mechanisms at national and regional level.
As a result of the Forum, a set of conclusions and recommendations on how to transform the SPECA region into a well-connected and sustainable hub for trade and transport with global outreach, while achieving relevant SDGs was presented to the SPECA Governing Council.
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