Analysis of Iran's Water Governance Structure based on Water-Food-Energy NEXUS: An Application of the Social Network Analysis (SNA)

The Water-Food-Energy NEXUS is a framework for building a governance system that aims to facilitate cross-sectoral partnerships and improve and strengthen coherent policies for planning and governance. Accordingly, the present study analyzes the water governance structure focused on the Water-Food-Energy NEXUS and evaluates the power distribution of responsible institutions and partners in the governance structure of water resources management in Iran. according to the Sixth Economic, Social and Cultural Development Plan. For this purpose, the cooperation network was reviewed based on the legal duties of the responsible institutions and organizations in the axes of water resources development program, agriculture, environment and natural resources and energy. Examining the rules of the development plan shows that attention to the Water-Food-Energy NEXUS in the water governance structure has been neglected, and a realistic understanding of cross-sectoral conflicts and the anticipation of conflict resolution mechanisms require serious attention in the plan. Considering the number of collaborations of network actors, the formation network matrix was analyzed using Ucinet and NetDraw software based on the indicators of degree centrality, intermediate centrality, density, geodetic distance and cut points. Findings Analysis of social networks, considering the concentration of power in the Ministry of Energy in the current governance structure, emphasizes on strengthening the position of power of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture in line with water demand management policies and strengthening the relationship between financing institutions and water resources development laws. Also, strengthening the role of monitoring and inspection institutions in order to increase transparency and accountability, strengthening the legal relationship between universities and the national technology and innovation system to support the knowledge-based economy, and developing the participation of local communities and non-governmental organizations in decision-making. Taking from other expandable points is the structure of the country's water governance.