An Overview of the Water, Energy, and Food Nexus in East and Southeast Asia

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus in East and Southeast Asia. In Sect. 1.1, a brief overview of the region is presented, and the concept of the WEF nexus is introduced. In Sect. 1.2, the objectives and outline of each section of this book are introduced. In Sect. 1.3, the key drivers and challenges that have shaped the region’s trajectory are reviewed in detail, focusing on economic growth, environmental pollution, and sustainable development. In particular, the relations between the commonalities/connections in the region and WEF nexus security are explored in detail, and the geopolitical aspects are discussed to describe how the region is unique and critically important in the global context. Notably, the uniqueness of the region discussed throughout this chapter and its strong linkages with WEF nexus security offer a rationale for a regional approach in addressing WEF nexus issues in East and Southeast Asia.