The Nexus as an Entry Point for Achieving Long-Term Security, Sustainability, and Peace

This chapter examines the interconnected relationship between sustainable development, security and peace, and the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus, underscoring that the key to understanding it lies in systems thinking and a focus on resilience. Security and peace can be achieved only by meeting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and vice versa, and the WEF Nexus is presented as a practical solution under this approach. The chapter recommends a shift from the traditional focus on security in addressing the WEF nexus to resource efficiency and, ultimately, resilience in the face of increasing risk due to climate change and anthropogenic impacts on the earth system. The chapter also highlights some examples of efforts made to enhance the synergies between multiple SDGs in the context of the WEF nexus in the East and Southeast Asian region through improved multi-level governance. The 2030 Agenda encompasses all areas of the WEF nexus, including the importance of realizing synergies and working through an integrated approach. The analysis of the impacts of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on the water, energy, and food sectors clearly demonstrates the importance of greater multi-level governance to achieve the SDGs. Strengthening public governance for WEF nexus implementation at the country level may benefit from, at minimum, regional multi-lateral agreements where countries commit to adopting a nexus approach to achieving resilience in the water, energy, and food systems.