The “nexus” approach aims at integrated planning and management processes of the key sectors of energy, water and food, and this can contribute substantially to the long-term sustainable development of rapidly growing cities in their regions. It is crucial, in this context, to involve municipal, subnational, national and supraregional actors and utilities towards more integrated planning and management of the nexus sectors.
Against this background, the project on “Integrated Resource Management in Asian Cities: the Urban Nexus” is assisting cities and countries in Asia-Pacific to adopt a nexus approach, developing nexus projects and integrating the nexus approach into urban planning. The project is implemented by GIZ in partnership with ESCAP and ICLEI and with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project supports ten cities in six countries, namely: China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.
A luncheon side event was organized on Thursday 21 May 2015, 12:00-13:30 hours to share and discuss the results, lessons learned and policy recommendations arising from the project and illustrated how the three dimensions of sustainable development can be integrated in practice, drawing from examples from cities across Asia-Pacific. As such it provided a unique opportunity for delegations attending the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development to understand how the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development can be operationalized.
Mr. Lorenzo Santucci, Economic Affairs Officer, Sustainable Urban Development section of ESCAP presented on "Integrating the Three Dimensions of Sustainable Development in Cities - From Policy to Practice: the Urban Nexus", while Ms. Ruth Erlbeck, Regional Project Director, GIZ Nexus Team provided a detailed overview of the project - the focus areas, core elements, progress and challenges faced. Following the presentation by UNESCAP and GIZ, Ms. Mila Domingo Raquid-Arroyo, City Councilor, City Goverment of Naga elaborated on the available integrated solutions in terms of urban development planning and management and the challenges and opportunities for their adoption.
Ms. Chanakod Chasidpon, Policy and Plan Analyst, National Economic and Social Development Board, Thailand elaborated on the following questions:
• What is the relevance of the nexus (water-energy-food security) for the sustainable development of Thailand? How have the key sectors of energy, water and food been integrated into the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP)?
• What strategies, measures and plans can be useful in promoting integrated and cross-sectorial approaches? What instruments work, specifically within the context of the 11th NEDP for Thailand?