Central Asia Water & Energy Program (CAWEP)

In Central Asia, water availability and use differ greatly between countries. The expansive semi-arid steppe receives little to no rainfall, while the mountainous areas in the South-East receive plenty and have a high hydropower potential. Rural, urban and industrial development remains dependent on adequate water availability. Regional cooperation and improving the enabling environments for water and energy are crucial for the economic development of the region.

The development objective of CAWEP is to strengthen the enabling environment to promote energy and water security at regional level and in the beneficiary countries. CAWEP is structured around three pillars (water security, energy security, and water-energy linkages) and supports activities to (i) improve water and energy management, (ii) strengthen national and regional institutions, (iii) facilitate regional dialogue on water and energy security.

CAWEP is complementary to the Swiss Blue Peace Initiative which promotes cross-border cooperation and dialogue around water resources management.

Improved policy frameworks that promote achievement of energy and water security adopted at national level-

Regional framework promoting energy and water security negotiated among beneficiary countries-

Strengthened capacity in regional and national institutions responsible for energy and/or water resources management in beneficiary countries- and

Leveraged/informed US$ 2.5 billion of investments contributing to energy and water security at regional level.

Expected results:  

As of April 2022, the CAWEP portfolio included 22 active and 9 completed grants

Outputs: 5 analytical products, 24 learning activities (reaching 970 participants), 16 capacity building events and 25 dialogue process events

Among recent highlights, CAWEP supported the Regional Working Group of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), developed new irrigation performance optimisation tools based on remote-sensing technologies, organised a workshop with Kyrgyz and Tajik representatives on private sector investment in renewable energies, and supported a comprehensive water sector reform in Kyrgyzstan.

Results from previous phases:  

The support provided under previous phases of CAWEP informed an estimated USD 1.7 billion of investments including the Central Asia Hydromet Modernization Project (CAHMP, USD 28 million), the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation for the Aral Sea Basin Project (CAMP4ASB, USD 62 million) and the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000, USD 1’126 million). CAWEP also prepared the ground for national activities such as "Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings in Kyrgyzstan", which in this case has led to a SECO co-financed project. Dialogue processes provided opportunities for open exchange of opinions among beneficiary countries and development partners, including during the six-country consultations on the Rogun assessment studies and at the first High-level Meeting of the First Deputy Prime Ministers on Regional Riparian Issues.

Phase 3 01.01.2018 - 18.11.2023   (Active)