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Summary of "A Blueprint for Resilience: Charting the Course for Water Security in Europe and Central Asia"

Core Content

This document, titled A Blueprint for Resilience: Charting the Course for Water Security in Europe and Central Asia, is a Diagnostic Report published by the World Bank in June 2024. It presents a comprehensive assessment of water security challenges and opportunities across the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, focusing on the Danube subregion, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. The report uses the Water Security Diagnostic Framework (WSDF) to evaluate water security across four key dimensions: water endowment, water sector architecture, sector performance, and social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Water Security Importance

Water security is a multidimensional and multisectoral concept that is crucial for economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability in the ECA region.

• Economic Role: Water is a key driver of economic development. Hydropower contributes to almost one-third (27%) of the region's electricity. Irrigated agriculture accounts for 15% of the region’s agricultural gross revenues, with Central Asia being the highest at 70-80%, and the Danube subregion at 9%.
• Employment: Water-dependent sectors employ 18-60% of the labor force.
• Exports: Water-dependent exports account for 17-98% of GDP in some countries, indicating the strategic importance of water.
• Tourism and Natural Assets: Water is vital for tourism, navigation, and environmental flows in countries like Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Türkiye.
• Health and Well-being: Safe water and sanitation significantly contribute to human and environmental health, with mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to unsafe WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) being among the lowest globally.

2. Water Security Challenges

The region faces significant water security challenges, including:

• Low Political Priority: Many countries in the region give low and inconsistent political priority to water-related issues.
• Water Scarcity and Stress: Water stress is expected to increase due to rising demand and changing availability. By 2050, water demand is projected to rise by 34-51%.
• Inefficient Management: Water losses are substantial due to inefficient irrigation and drainage systems and lack of maintenance.
• Climate Change Impact: Climate change will exacerbate flood and drought risks, with economic impacts potentially reaching significant levels by 2050.
• Regional Disparities: Water productivity varies widely across subregions, with the Danube subregion having the highest at $52.2 per cubic meter, and Central Asia the lowest at $2.8 per cubic meter.

3. Water Sector Architecture and Performance

The water sector architecture includes institutions, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, while sector performance encompasses management of water resources, delivery of water-related services, and risk mitigation.

• Institutions: There are national and transboundary water institutions, but institutional readiness is often low.
• Infrastructure: Irrigation and drainage systems are inefficient, leading to high water losses.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is underdeveloped in many countries, with legal frameworks lacking in adequacy and implementation.
• Water Pricing and Financing: Water pricing is low or inefficient, and financing mechanisms for water management are underdeveloped, especially in Central Asia.

4. Key Recommendations

The report outlines three main goals:

1. Raise Awareness: Increase awareness among policymakers about the importance of prioritizing water for people, the planet, and economic prosperity.
2. Stimulate Policy Dialogue: Encourage national and regional policy dialogue to harness water for economic, social, and environmental benefits.
3. Provide Actionable Recommendations: Offer clear, actionable recommendations to guide policy makers and sector practitioners toward sustainable, long-term water security.

The priority action areas include:

• Improving Water Efficiency: Reducing water losses and increasing productivity.
• Modernizing Infrastructure: Rehabilitating and modernizing irrigation systems in Central Asia and drainage systems in the Western Balkans.
• Enhancing Institutional Capacity: Strengthening national and transboundary institutions for better water governance.
• Investing in Water Services: Ensuring adequate funding and efficient management of water supply and sanitation.
• Mitigating Water-Related Risks: Implementing flood and drought risk management plans.

5. Future Challenges and Opportunities

• Climate Change: Will increase water stress, flood risk, and drought frequency.
• Population Growth and Urbanization: Expected to increase water demand, especially in urban areas.
• Economic Development: Will drive industrial and domestic water use, leading to higher demand.
• Opportunities for Improvement: Modernization of irrigation systems, efficient water pricing, and enhanced institutional frameworks can boost economic growth and improve water security.

Conclusion

The report highlights the importance of water security in the ECA region, emphasizing the need for integrated water management, modern infrastructure, and strong institutional frameworks. It also underscores the economic, social, and environmental benefits of improving water efficiency and mitigating water-related risks. The actionable recommendations aim to guide the region toward a more resilient and secure water future.