The project’s main objective is to carry out an in-depth synthesis and analysis of the integrated water, energy and food security framework in the Rio+20 national reports and national surveys to the SDG questions, and to identify and adapt the existing models and tools for developing/least developed countries and strengthen national government capacity building for integrated water, energy and food security framework in national development planning.

The project will start with a study that reviews and analyzes the Rio+20 National Reports, Global Synthesis of Rio+20 National Reports, National Surveys to the SDG Questions and “The Future We Want” and synthesizes Rio+20 National Reports using a matrix to extract information on water, energy and food security related challenges, policies and strategies. Eight countries in East Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia are short listed for additional in-depth research and the potential for capacity building work for Integrated Water – Energy – Food Security Framework in National Development Planning. The eight countries include Tanzania, Ethiopia, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Timor-Leste and Cambodia.

In-depth research of the eight countries on the topics of water, energy and food issues from the recent studies by UN agencies and International Development Agencies will be conducted. The current situation of sectoral water, energy, and food security approach will be defined, and the Problem Tree will be established. The project will move forward to identify the models and tools for strengthening the inter-linkages between water, energy and food security for national development planning and policy decisions at the developing/least development countries level.

Joint-Research between United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs/ Division for Sustainable Development (DESA/DSD) and Duke University (Nicholas School of the Environment).