WEF Nexus

International Conference on Sustainable Development
2020-09-20 15:00 - 2020-09-23 19:00 UTC
Registration for International Conference on Sustainable Development 2020 is open! Registration is completely free for all.
We have 14 sessions you can attend across 2 days; 10 “Plenary and Parallel” sessions and 4 “Poster Sessions.” Each has a separate registration window; you are welcome to register for as many sessions as you like. For more details on the full program, scroll below. Detailed parallel and poster session schedules.
To help you get comfortable with our conference software Remo, we have developed a Remo FAQs and Trouble Shooting guide.

We hope to see you online September 21-22 for ICSD 2020 as we promote Cross-Cutting Solutions for the Decade of Action.
©2020 International Conference on Sustainable Development

Conference on Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus scientific advances in the Mediterranean region
2020-09-22 - 2020-09-23
*COVID 19 event changes: due to the coronavirus crisis, the conference has been postponed to May 2021 – a new date will be communicated in due course*
The 2020 WEFE Nexus Science Advances Conference is organised by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) and the Cyprus Institute to address the role of science as a driver of innovation and its interface with the policymaking process.
Rationale
Sustainable development in the Mediterranean region is facing a combination of challenges that are likely to undermine livelihoods. The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus is gaining increasing attention in policymaking and research communities as a means of addressing sectoral interdependencies in the management of natural resources and as an approach for operationalising the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is evident in the rapidly growing literature in the field. However, most of the published studies merely debate the need to fully understand the interdependencies between the WEFE sectors, with few examples of successful ground-level WEFE Nexus practices.
Answering the broad range of questions embraced by the Nexus concept is clearly a challenging process. The role of the research community is to support this process by pooling together multi-disciplinary competences to show decision-makers the co-benefits of and trade-offs between future energy, food and ecosystem security plans and water policies. In this way, scientists and stakeholders will not only be able to “speak the same language”, but also to agree on best practices and solutions to be shared and used across country borders.
Objectives of the Conference
With a focus on the Mediterranean, the Conference will look at the four aspects of the WEFE Nexus from different perspectives (e.g. through the eyes of economists, sociologists and end users) and canvass opinions on how to approach the cross-sectoral management of WEFE resources.
Participants will include scientists, business and water practitioners, professional organisations as well as governmental and regional policymakers and NGOs from across the Mediterranean countries, all brought together to:

Explore capacity for cross-sectoral analyses of the use of natural resources by exchanging knowledge on the development, use and demonstration of Nexus methodologies applicable across scales;
Promote the collection of best WEFE Nexus practices in the Mediterranean region and the incorporation of lessons learnt into hands-on guidance for the development of innovative and economically viable roll-outs;
Elaborate on the role of a WEFE Nexus Community of Practice to stimulate cross-organisation collaboration and knowledge sharing in the Mediterranean region.

The outcomes of the Conference will contribute to the objectives set out in the UfM Water Declaration, the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of PRIMA and the actions proposed by the European Commission in the roadmap of the new European Green Deal.
Practical Information
The Conference will take place at the Cyprus Institute in Nicosia (Cyprus).
No registration fee is foreseen for participation in the 2-day event.
Further information on registration and the final agenda will be made available soon.
For Further Information Click Here

Join the WE4F Regional Innovation Hub Virtual Kickoff Calls
2020-09-28 14:00 - 2020-09-29 13:00 UTC
Starting September 28th, WE4F’s Regional Innovation Hubs (RIHs) will host four virtual kick-offs. The hubs work with innovators, investors, and other partners to provide technical and/or financial assistance, improve enabling environments, and develop other regional activities. Each RIH will discuss the countries they cover, their operations, and what comes next. earn more about each hub and find out how to become a partner here.

Club of Rome Global Youth Summit 2020
2020-10-03 13:00 - 2020-10-07 17:00 UTC
Global Youth Summit & Engagement Program
Applications and Nominations are open for participants
It is undeniable that we are in the midst of an unprecedented time in global history. Our planetary boundaries are approaching and, in some cases, surpassed their limits, global economic and financial systems are no longer accessible for many, and the polarization of our political systems is creating mistrust in our governments as a functional avenue to avoid these wicked and intertwined problems that are putting our future at risk. We feel that connecting, educating, and empowering a global youth network is imperative to addressing these interconnected global challenges
The Club of Rome in partnership with the Penn State Sustainability Institute are looking for university-age students interested in participating in a year-long international youth-engagement program.
Program Overview: This effort aims t

develop a cohort of global youth ready to engage with each other, increasing their ability to genuinely listen, build diverse relationships, and engage with peers about global issues;
provide a structure for youth to use these skills to engage their peers in regional listening sessions;
synthesize these findings and submit a formal report to the Club of Rome; and
develop a framework on how to initiate a culturally inclusive international and intergenerational dialogue

Global Youth Summit-October 3, 4, & 7th
This summit intends to bring together a regional group of youth to participate in discussions focused on the Club of Rome’s Impact Hub topics (Climate-Planetary Emergency, Emerging New Civilization, Reframing Economics, and Rethinking Finance). The summit will take place virtually via zoom on October 3rd or 4th depending on geographic region.
Specific Dates/Times based on region

Asia & Australia | Saturday, October 3rd (1p – 5p GMT)
Europe, Africa and Middle East | Sunday, October 4th (1p – 5p GMT)
Americas, Caribbean | Sunday, October 4th (7p – 11p GMT)

Following this discussion, on October 7th, a select group of participants will attend the Club of Rome general meeting to participate in an intergenerational dialogue with Club of Rome Members.
Virtual Youth Engagement–November 2020 through April 2021
Following the summit, this cohort of youth will receive facilitator training and begin facilitating a year-long series of virtual listening sessions to understand what the youth have to say about their concerns and aspirations for the future. We anticipate this being a 6-8 hour commitment per month.

Professional Development
Throughout the year, participants will be invited to reconnect as a global cohort to discuss, exchange ideas and participate in professional development webinars and discussions by notable scientists, economists, business leaders, high-level civil servants, and former heads of state from around the world.

Communicate the Youth Voice-October 2021
Concluding the year of listening sessions, the session information will be compiled into a Global Youth Report and, with a concrete action plan, be presented back to the Club of Rome during their fall 2021 annual meeting. This document will also be shared back with our global network of university and NGO partners.

Application/Nomination – Wednesday, September 16th
Our ideal student participant is not an expert by any means, but we are looking for candidates who have potential and a willingness to learn and actively engage. This student might be interested in pursuing a career in international development, nonprofit development, governmental affairs, etc.

concerns about sustainability and the environment;
willingness to express own ideas clearly, persuasively and pose relevant questions to propel the discussion;
self-motivated and desire to have an impact in their community;
ability to actively listen and acknowledges different perspectives; and
intermediate to advanced English proficiency

If you are a current university age student (17-30) and interested in partnering on this project, please consider applying. If you are a university faculty/staff member or connected with a young person who would be an excellent addition to our project, please consider nominating them for this opportunity using the online submission (https://forms.gle/G5msQdY7uguavd3EA) or by visiting the program website (https://bit.ly/32SYaHQ).

© 2020 Club of Rome

Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in Eastern and Southern Africa
2020-10-28 00:00 - 2020-10-30 23:59 UTC
The 21st WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium will be held online, from the 28th – 30th October 2020 under the theme Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in East and Southern Africa.
Click here to view the agenda.
The Symposia have been held annually in the Eastern and Southern African regions for the past 20 years to promote interaction among policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners. Together, they identify regional issues, gaps and priorities that require further research and support. Great emphasis will be placed on integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural and social sciences.
The sub-themes of the symposium have been aligned to the themes of the SADC Water Research Agenda under the Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Phase IV, whose main objective is:

Promoting evidence-based implementation of SADC water programmes and projects through multi- and inter-disciplinary research, and synthesis of existing and new information, which will lead to a realisation of SADC developmental goal30

The BRECCIA Session on Upscaling Sustainable Food and Water Security Research in Drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa will be held on Wednesday, 28, October 2020, 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs (South Africa)/1200 hrs to 1400 hrs (UK)/
1500hrs to 1700hrs (Kenya)
Registration is located here.

WaterNet Copyright 2018. All rights Reserved.

WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium
2020-10-28 - 2020-10-30 | Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Details
Call for abstracts here
For more information and to register visit website here
About
The WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposia have been held annually in the Eastern and Southern African region for the past 20 years.
The Symposium promotes interaction among policymakers, academics, practitioners from water and related sectors, and cooperating partners. Together, they identify regional issues, gaps and priorities that require further research and support. Great emphasis will be placed on integration of knowledge, particularly involving scholars from the natural, medical and social sciences.
The 21st WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium will be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 28th – 30th October 2020 under the theme Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development in East and Southern Africa. The venue for the 21st Symposium is the Elephant Hills Resort. The National University of Science and Technology is the lead host of the 21st Symposium

3rd SADC Groundwater Conference
2020-11-09 - 2020-11-11
About
THEME: Enhancing Water and Food Security through Sustainable Groundwater Development in the SADC Region.
BACKGROUND:
Parts of Sub Saharan Africa makes little use of its groundwater resources, which contributes only 1% of total renewable water resource withdrawals for agriculture. Projected and continuing changes to the amount, intensity and predictability of rainfall in much of Southern Africa will lead to changes in the way the region views its groundwater resources. Increasing water scarcity will be particularly difficult for smallholder farmers who produce 90% of Africa’s food who haven not access to central water supply infrastructure. Currently, only 6% of the total cultivated land in Africa is irrigated. It has been estimated that irrigation could boost agricultural productivity by 50%. Moreover, population growth and economic development will increase the demand for water across sub Saharan Africa, currently estimated at around 50 litres per capita, compared to 10 times that amount in the USA.The challenges of a dynamic and declining water availability situation will lead to greater pressure to exploit unrealised and little-known groundwater resources, particularly for rural smallholder farmers who will be under pressure from competing water users such as commercial agriculture, urban development and energy production (the Nexus challenge).
This conference seeks to advocate for a more central and pronounced role for groundwater in the WEFE Nexus dialogue as a way of minimising shocks, risks and vulnerability to climate change. The conference will be offered parallel to the 8th Africa Water Week, and also align to the theme of the 8th Africa Water Week. Both the 3rd SADC Groundwater Conference and the 8th Africa Water Week (AWW8) are aimed at rallying Africa’s water sector towards a common voice as the world prepares for the 9th World Water Forum (9WWF) to be held in Dakar, Senegal in March 2021.
For more information and to register visit webpage here

The 3rd WaterEnergyNEXUS Conference
2020-12-01 - 2020-12-05
About
The WaterEnergyNEXUS is one of the most important and priority issue to be resolved for both current and next generations.
The University of Sfax (Tunisia) in cooperation with Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) of the University of Salerno (Italy), Advanced Institute of Water Industry at Kyungpook National University (Korea) and with The Energy and Resources Institute, TERI (India) is organizing the third edition of WaterEnergyNEXUS conference, that will be held in the island of Djerba (Tunisia) on 1-5 December 2020.
The first edition of WaterEnergyNEXUS was organized in Korea during the Asian International Water Week, one of the more relevant and strategic appointments in Asia for scientists and professionals who are working on the field of the water industry and sustainability. The second edition was organized in Salerno (Italy) in 2018.
This third edition of WaterEnergyNEXUS conference will provide an international platform to share and discuss key topics on such water issues with the presentation of nature-based solutions, advanced technologies and best practices with the support of experts invited as plenary and keynote speakers. An additional aim of this 2020 WaterEnergyNEXUSconference is to contribute to the overall goal of enhancing cooperation, integration and sustainable development in the Euro-Mediterranean region on critical topics of Water and Energy.
The WaterEnergyNEXUS series of conferences received the support of the UNESCO World Water Association Programme (WWAP) and the International Water Association (IWA) It is also under the patronage of several international scientific societies, associations and organizations. And, it enjoys the publishing partnership with Springer Nature.
Important Notice
The 3rd edition of WaterEnergyNEXUS will take place as scheduled and we are proceeding with all plans to convene the meeting.
However, from now until the conference days, no one can predict the worldwide development and spread of coronavirus and how long this situation will last. That is why, WaterEnergyNEXUS board decided to provide the possibility of presenting online to those who prefer not to attend the conference in person.
Interested authors are encouraged to submit an abstract of their presentation and to leave the decision (deadline: 30 September 2020) as to whether to attend the conference and to present onsite or just online. More details about the “online presentation” feature will be provided after notification of acceptances.

Plan B:
If the risk associated with the spread of coronavirus will continue after this summer, we’ll decide before the deadline for online registration (30 September 2020) about the possibility of organizing online the full conference or to postpone it to Spring 2021. In all cases, we’ll inform you about our decision before the deadline for online registration (i.e. 2 months before your trip to Djerba).
For more information and to register please visit the WaterEnergyNEXUS website

UN SDG 7 and 13 - Addressing Your Organization’s Next Steps for Clean Energy and Climate Action
2020-12-16
About this event
Many organizations face a complex array of challenges related to the environmental impact of their operations, especially as it relates to energy and climate risk. Increasing regulatory requirements and increasing financial, customer and shareholder demands present both risks and opportunities for organizational resilience, brand reputation, commercial strategy and operational practices. Faced with energy constraints and the evolving effects of climate risks, resilient businesses account for, and improve upon, their environmental and energy impacts in a way that adds value, integrates with strategy, and improves business robustness.
BSI’s work in clean energy and climate assessment has enabled our clients to improve their productivity performance, reduce their environmental impacts, become more energy efficient and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Click here to register for this event!

About the presenters
Melita Elmore – Principal Consultant, CSR/Sustainability and ISO Lead Auditor has experience as a business owner, senior project manager, industry executive and state regulator. She has worked on management system implementation and auditing, CSR, ESG issues, and in waste minimization, water and energy conservation, EHS curriculum development and training delivery; due diligence; stakeholder outreach and Supply Chain multi-media auditing. | Connect on LinkedIn
Ryan Lynch – Practice Director, Sustainability, and his team collaborate with global brands and their suppliers to develop innovative solutions to challenges related to supply chain security, business continuity and human rights due diligence. Ryan’s current areas of focus include migrant labor abuse, root causes of excessive working hours, and the development and delivery of interactive workshops focused on strengthening skills related to critical thinking, problem solving and root cause analysis as a means to improve workplace practices throughout the supply chain. | Connect on LinkedIn

Future-Proofing Africa's Livestock Sector Policies: Lessons from African Countries and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2020-12-17 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Innovative ideas revolving around agri-tech, mechanization, food systems, healthy diets, and sustainable livestock in adjustment to the COVID19 pandemic. A panel of idealists, educators, and innovators discuss how to improve some of the greatest challenges pressing on African food systems as a result of the pandemic.
Click here to check out this event!

The Keys to Process Sustainability
2020-12-27
Understanding, evaluating, and progressing a sustainable life is difficult but vital. This webinar by Oliver Wight outlines the keys to sustainability, which is described as a self-perpetuating cycle, not only how to maintain this cycle by to continually build and improve sustainable results.
Click here to watch the Webinar!

FAO Water-Energy-Food Nexus Webinar series
2021-01-30 08:00 - 2021-03-30 17:00 UTC
This FAO series — organized in collaboration with SEI and KTH Royal Institute of Technology — introduces nexus concepts and gives examples of current efforts and best practices in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region and beyond.
his series is developed under the regional project, “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Water Efficiency/Productivity and Water Sustainability in NENA countries” (WEPS-NENA) under the FAO led regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI). This project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Webinar sessions are taking place February 2nd- March 30th, registration is required.

2021-02-10 08:00 - 2021-02-12 17:00 UTC
How do we provide and maintain the food, energy and water supplies in urban environments as the population continues to increase? Obstacles and initiatives are the focus of this conference, and attendees will leave with new ideas and collaborators.

2nd Food- Energy- Water Nexus Conference 2021
2021-02-10 08:00 - 2021-02-12 17:00 UTC

KAPTalks with Kandeh Yumkella on COVID-19 and the Urgency of the African Energy Transition
2021-02-10 18:00 - 19:00 UTC
Join LIVE our special #KAPTalks with the former energy chief of the United Nations Kandeh Yumkella. The event will be fully online. Join us on 10th February at 18:00 CET.
The lecture is hosted by the Trinity College Dublin.
If the room is full and you can’t register or enter the event, follow live streaming at http://bit.ly/KAPTalks.
Check time of the lecture in different time zones: https://bit.ly/3pfUqtR.
Once logged in to the webinar you will have an opportunity to pose a text questions to Kandeh Yumkella.
To register for this webinar click here!

Development Challenges in Africa in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic: UNU-WIDER
2021-02-11 08:00 - 2021-02-12 17:00 UTC
This conference will bring together participants from scholarly, policy and business communities to discuss the policy challenges faced by Africa in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring presentations from leading scholars and policy makers the conference provides a forum to discuss the socioeconomic implications, development challenges and potential policy solutions to the crisis in the context of the African continent.

Sustainable Energy for All Forum
2021-02-16 - 2021-02-18
UPDATE: Event Postponed
“Sustainable Energy for ALL (SEforALL) has decided to postpone the SEforALL Forum in Kigali, Rwanda to 16-18 February 2021.
This decision has been taken to ensure the health and well-being of participants considering the COVID-19 situation and as a result of in-depth discussions with our host, the Government of Rwanda, the United Nations and the SEforALL Administrative Board.”
About
The 2020 SEforALL Forum will focus on the need to act with urgency and ambition in order to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030 and deliver on energy development as the golden thread of sustainable development that enables jobs, good health, food security, gender equality, and an end to poverty.
We will bring together a broad and diverse set of energy access stakeholders based on the following objectives:

Inspire and focus energy stakeholders on country-level implementation, highlighting the role of energy as central to the development agenda
Provide stakeholders with the knowledge and resources they need to accelerate and scale action
Create a platform to exchange ideas and form new partnerships

Details
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Contact: SEforALL Secretariat
Website: https://www.seforall.org/forum
REGISTER HERE

Nexus Dŵr Uisce Sustainability Webinar Series 2021: Exploring Micro-Hydropower
2021-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
In the Dŵr Uisce Sustainability Webinar Series 2021, findings from the Dŵr Uisce project demonstrate how research-based practical solutions can improve the energy efficiency in the water sector. In the first webinar focused on micro-hydropower, low-cost and modular hydro turbines are presented along with their opportunities, design and results from pilot installations.

Water Security and Climate Change Conference
2021-03-01 08:00 - 2021-03-04 17:00 UTC
The Water Security and Climate Change conference (WSCC) is an annual event where scientists, policy makers and stakeholders from various sectors discuss the diverse facets of water security and its relation to climate variability and change.
The WSCC strives to go beyond science and build bridges between various disciplines and sectors as well as different groups of stakeholders. Serving as a platform for discussions about water and food secure societies, by providing a stimulating environment with the intention of yielding innovative ideas and grounds for implementation, the WSCC is continuing a series of successful conferences in Thailand, Germany, Kenya and Mexico.

The WSCC is an initiative of the ‘Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed’ program, and has been implemented since 2016 under the auspices of the Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) and the Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries (SWINDON) network. The scientific committee includes the Food Security Center (FSC) as well as the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
In 2021, WSCC is convened by the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources (VAWR) in Hanoi. Due to the currently uncertain situation, we have decided to implement the Water Security and Climate Change (WSCC) conference in a virtual format. Participation will be free of charge and open to the public. The registrations are now open!

Virtual Summer School // Analysing Transformative Processes for the Management of the WEF nexus and the Advancement of the SDGs in Sub-Saharan Africa
2021-03-07 08:00 - 2021-03-12 17:00 UTC
Young researchers based in or originating from sub-Saharan Africa together with young researchers from Germany are invited to apply for this virtual WEF Nexus summer school. The event will take place online and run from the evening of March 7th to March 12th 2021. It is organized by Osnabrück University (DE), Rhodes University (SA), University of Cape Town (SA) and University of Kwazulu-Natal (SA), Co-hosted online by The Integrated Assessment Society e.V. (DE) and sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation’s program Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For the past two years, Osnabrück University in Germany together with Rhodes University, University of Cape Town and University of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa have been sharing knowledge, approaches and experiences on transformative processes in the context of the WaterEnergy-Food (WEF) nexus and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany. The project seeks to better understand transformative processes associated with implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the context of the WEF nexus approach.
As a culmination to its transformational learning cooperation, the project partners invite applications from young researchers based in or originating from sub-Saharan Africa together with young researchers from Germany interested in joining its summer school in March 2021. The event will take place online and run from the evening of March 7th to March 12th.

The 6th Nile Basin Development Forum (NBDF) Nexus Webinar Sessions
2021-03-09 - 2021-04-29
The 6th NBDF virtual webinars focus on assessing whether the NBI Member States have been implementing water resources investments at a speed and scale commensurate with the growing demand for food, water, and energy across the Basin. The Nexus sessions have moved to April 13 and April 14. Registration is required.
Click here for the registration.

For the webinar agenda and more information, check here.

The 9th World Water Forum
2021-03-22 - 2021-03-27
About
The 9th World Water Forum will take place in Dakar from 22 to 27 March 2021. The objective of Senegal and the World Water Council is to organize a more socially, politically and economically effective Forum, a catalyst for action for commitments on water and sanitation, a connected Forum, linked to the agendas, platforms and commitments on SDGs, the Sendai agreement on natural risks and disasters, the Paris agreement on climate, Africa’s 2063 agenda, etc.
The Forum will also be an opportunity for Senegal and the World Water Council to exchange views on the future of water and sanitation, and a contextualized, global and community-based Forum anchored on key water challenges in Africa and around the world.
Thus, it is important to underline that previous editions of the World Water Forum included three major processes: thematic, political and regional. However, the 9th Forum intends to mark a break with the institutional organisation of past Foraums It is centred on an integrated preparation based on quality, multi-actor exchanges around a limited number of priorities integrating the previous tools of the processes: thematic, political, regional, citizen.
The “Dakar 2021” Forum will focus on four priorities, namely:

Water Security and Sanition
Cooperation
Water for rural development
Means and Tools including the crucial issues of financing, governance, knowledge management and innovation; four axes that constitute priorities for Africa, but also for the world as a whole.

The process will be led by specialized working groups structured around the 4 priorities. Each working group will be led by Senegal and the World Water Council, and supported by strategic partners (governments, intergovernmental, bilateral and multilateral organizations, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations). The strategic partners should play a leading role from the preparatory process to the organization of the Forum.
For more information visit the World Water Forum website

The WEF Nexus in Africa Initiative joins webinar series
2021-04-13 13:00 - 14:30 UTC
In collaboration with FAO, SEI, and KTH, we are co-hosting a series of webinars over the course of the year related to WEF nexus issues. In addition to ones already scheduled, on April 13 we will host a session on “The WEF Nexus in practice: multi-scalar case studies and a WEF Nexus Index” with speakers Janez Susnik (IHE Delft), Sara Masia, (IHE Delft), and Gareth Simpson (Jones and Wagener). This webinar will discuss WEF nexus model development, an ongoing WEF-Tools project, and a globally applicable WEF Nexus Index.
Date and Time
April 13th, 13:00–14:30 GMT+2
Detailed Description
The webinar will present three perspectives of about 20 minutes each, aiming to demonstrate the WEF Nexus in practice. The first comes from the recent SIM4NEXUS project (www.sim4nexus.eu), showing the process of complex WEF nexus model development in the EU, including the incorporation of policies, and the development of online WEF nexus serious games. The second, from the ongoing WEF-Tools project (www.wef-tools.un-ihe.org), illustrates ongoing, practically relevant nexus research for the SADC and MENA regions. The final perspective showcases the development of a globally applicable WEF Nexus Index to track nexus performance in a concise, understandable manner.
SIM4NEXUS (Janez Susnik, IHE Delft)
SIM4NEXUS is a recently-ended EC H2020 project. In this introduction, the SIM4NEXUS approach to mapping, modeling, and understanding the nexus is described. The approach includes nexus policy coherence assessment, qualitative nexus systems mapping, quantitative system dynamics modeling, and development of serious games. SIM4NEXUS applied its approach to 12 case studies in scale from sub-national to global, and include Sardinia, Andalusia, The Netherlands, Latvia, Sweden, two transboundary cases, and the EU.
WEF-Tools (Sara Masia, IHE Delft)
The WEF-Tools project aims at qualitatively and quantitatively assessing the WEF nexus in the Songwe River Basin (SRB), located on the border between Malawi and Tanzania. Reducing poverty, improving human health and livelihoods, ensuring water, food, and energy security, mitigating floods, and enhancing sustainable river basin management are the main challenges recognized by the SRB Programme (SRBP) jointly developed by the Governments of both countries. The WEF-Tools approach applied in the case study starts from conceptual mapping of the SRB nexus system to the development of quantitative tools such as System Dynamics Models, and identification of suitable indicators for the assessment of different scenarios, management strategies, subsequently providing decision-makers with feasible development pathways.
WEF Nexus Index (Gareth Simpson, Jones & Wagener)
A national-level composite indicator has been developed for 170 nations to provide a quantitative measure of the WEF nexus. Together with its interactive visualization tool (www.wefnexusindex.org), the WEF Nexus Index provides a means for assessing and benchmarking countries regarding integrated resources security. The tool also provides an entry point into the underlying pillars (water, energy, and food), sub-pillars (related to access and availability of the resources), and the 21 indicators that constitute the composite indicator. The tool can assist policy- and decision-makers and serves as a measure of a subset of the SDGs.
For registration and more details on the webinar, click here!

UNFSS Independent Dialogue in Southern Africa: Managing the water and energy we eat: advancing water‐energy-food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in Southern Africa
2021-04-13 13:00 - 16:00 UTC
Meeting platform: By Zoom and invitation only. Click here to register.
Date and Time: 13/04/2021 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Description:
Join us for an Independent Dialogue convened by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners to discuss water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in Southern Africa. Insights emerging from this regional, multi-stakeholder forum will be presented at the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 #SDGS. This dialogue will begin to unpack how food systems can be localized and transformed in a water-constrained region such as Southern Africa in a manner that acknowledges WEF nexus linkages, promotes regional trade and enhances equity and inclusion.
The session is designed to be interactive, allowing for small group discussion, collective brainstorming, and agenda-setting. As the region maps out the road to UNFSS 2021, this Dialogue will focus on the role of water and energy in food systems transformation. Speakers and panelists from across the world and the region will discuss how systems transformation for equitable food and water security in Southern Africa can be achieved.
Everyone working to advance transformative water, energy, and food systems is invited to join this Dialogue.
Curators:
Dr. Inga Jacobs-Mata (IWMI), Dr. Maike Hamann (CST/GRP)
Meeting Agenda:
The Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving water and food security by Professor Joachim von Braun (Chair of the Scientific Group for the UNFSS).
The Road to UNFSS2021: The role of water in food systems transformation by Dr. Mark Smith (DG, IWMI).
Progress and challenges in achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger in the region, and implications for water, energy, and food security by a representative from SADC.
Panel discussion on realizing more just systems transformation for food and water security in Southern Africa by panelists from Water Research Commission (WRC) South Africa; Global Water Partnership (GWP); World Bank; private sector; food sovereignty networks in Africa.
Breakout group discussions, feedback from breakout discussions in plenary, and wrap-up of key messages and next steps by all.
Thematic areas of breakout group discussions:

Moving towards low carbon energy for food production. Key question: How can we sustainably produce more food in the region using low greenhouse gas energy sources?
Climate change impacts on water and food security. Key question: How can we sustainably enhance food security without compromising water security in the context of climate change?
Policy coherence and institutional coordination in water, food, energy, and climate change that operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: What practical steps can/should be taken to ensure policy coherence and institutional coordination to improve water, energy, and food security in the region?
Advancing technical WEF models, tools, and frameworks for decision-making at multiple scales. Key question: How can WEF nexus models/tools facilitate a new understanding of interdependencies and trade-offs in the WEF nexus, as well as foster data sharing and enhanced decision-making in the region?
Putting nature back in the WEF nexus: towards resilient food landscapes. Key question: How do we build more resilient food and livelihood systems while protecting critical water sources, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services?
Community approaches to operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: How can we promote equity and inclusion in WEF nexus governance to create opportunities for transformation towards more just food, water, and energy systems?
Trading in the WEF nexus across scales. Key question: How do we build resilience in interconnected food systems, from local to global scales?

To read more about UNFSS Dialogues, click here.

UNFSS Independent Dialogue in Central Asia: Advancing Water-Energy-Food Nexus for achieving food systems transformation under climate uncertainties
2021-04-15 14:00 - 14:30 UTC
Date and Time: 15/04/2021 | 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Meeting platform: Zoom (Will be shared soon), By invitation only
About:
Join us for an Independent Dialogue convened by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners to discuss water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in Central Asia. Insights emerging from this regional, multi-stakeholder forum will be presented at the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 #SDGS. The expected key outcome of this dialogue would be getting involved and sharing the views of Central Asian stakeholders on sustainable food systems transformation and the importance of WEF nexus under climate uncertainties. Reaching a common understanding of the challenges and finding local solutions to the challenges facing food and water systems transformation along with attendant issues of water security for a range of other sectors will be explored.
The session is designed to be interactive, allowing for small group discussion, collective brainstorming, and agenda-setting. As the region maps out the road to UNFSS 2021, this Dialogue will focus on the role of water and energy in food systems transformation. Speakers and panellists from across the world and the region will discuss how systems transformation for equitable food and water security in Central Asia can be achieved.
This dialogue is based on invitation and participants are expected to present from Key line Ministries and Agencies of Central Asian States, Academies of Sciences, National Research Institutions, Basin Authorities of the region, NGOs, Private Sectors and other Development Partners including CG Centers.
Curators:
Mr. Oyture Anarbekov, Country Manager IWMI-Central Asia Office
Dr. Kamiljon Akramov, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
Meeting Agenda:
The Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving water and food security via video from Joachim von Braun (Chair of the Scientific Group for the UNFSS). (3-5 mins)
The Road to UNFSS2021: The role of water in food systems transformation by Dr. Mark Smith (DG, IWMI). (10 mins)
Representative of Key Line Ministry of the Region by representative of Central Asian Regional Organization (TBC). (10 mins)
Introduction to break-out groups by curator. (5 mins)
8 Breakout group discussion by all. (75 mins)
Plenary discussion on feedback from break-outs by all. (30 mins)
Wrap-up of key messages and next steps by the representative of the Central Asian Regional Organization (TBC). (10 mins)
Language:
Organizers will arrange simultaneous translation from English into Russian and vice-versa.
Thematic areas of breakout group discussions:
Dialogue is expecting to gather around hundred participants/stakeholders of the region and discuss topic in identified following eight breakout working groups.

Moving towards low carbon energy for food production. Key question: How can we sustainably produce more food in the region using low greenhouse gas energy sources?
Climate change impacts on water and food security. Key question: How can we sustainably enhance food security without compromising water security in the context of climate change?
Policy coherence and institutional coordination in water, food, energy, and climate change that operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: What practical steps can/should be taken to ensure policy coherence and institutional coordination to improve water, energy, and food security in the region?
Advancing technical WEF models, tools, and frameworks for decision-making at multiple scales. Key question: How can WEF nexus models/tools facilitate a new understanding of interdependencies and trade-offs in the WEF nexus, as well as foster data sharing and enhanced decision-making in the region?
Enhancing resilience of water system across multi-sector (agriculture, domestic, industry, and environment) demands. Key question: How do we build more resilient food and livelihood systems while protecting critical water sources, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services while satisfying growing water demand?
Socio-Economic Benefits of WEF Nexus. Key question: What steps need to be taken to assess the benefits and trade-offs across sectors, especially from a socio-economic point of view (employment, health, migration, equity, GDP, etc.)?
Community approaches to operationalize the WEF nexus. Key question: How can we promote equity and inclusion in WEF nexus governance to create opportunities for transformation towards more just food, water, and energy systems?
Trading in the WEF nexus across scales. Key question: How do we build resilience in interconnected food systems, from local to global scales?

Click here to find out more about the UNFSS Dialogues.

UNFSS Independent Dialogue in Egypt: The Role of Water Security for Food Systems Transformations
2021-04-19 01:00 - 15:30 UTC
Date and Time: 19/04/2021 | 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm (GMT+2)
Meeting platform: Zoom (Register here)
Description:
Water scarcity remains a key challenge for agricultural development in the MENA region, including Egypt. Scarcity is rapidly growing as a result of climate change and rapid increases in water demand for other uses. Considering that Egypt’s agri-food system provided critical cushioning for economic growth, jobs, and household income negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is paramount that more consideration is given to the important role of water security for Egypt’s food systems. With agriculture utilizing over 80% of Egypt’s water resources, meeting these challenges will require bold actions and new mindsets directed at water and food systems transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Join us for an Independent Dialogue convened in partnership between the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to discuss the role of Water Security for Food Systems Transformation in Egypt. Insights emerging from this multi-stakeholder dialogue will be presented to the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 #SDGS.
This dialogue will discuss the importance of water security for all aspects of Egypt’s food systems, with a focus on equity, inclusion, capacity, innovation, and sustainability, including insights on how food systems need to change to improve water security (SDG 6), help eliminate hunger (SGD2), support energy security (SDG 7), improve climate adaptation and mitigation action (SDG 13) and help retain all life on land (SDG 15).
This pre-UNFSS2021 session, therefore, seeks to unpack the question: What is the role of water in transforming Egypt’s food systems for improved water and food security and environmental sustainability? Speakers and panelists from Egypt and beyond will engage in interactive group discussions, collective brainstorming, and agenda-setting. As Egypt and the MENA region map out the road to UNFSS 2021, the dialogue will discuss key messages that need to be heard at UNFSS 2021.
We invite everyone working to advance transformative water and food systems to join this Dialogue.
Curators:
Dr. Clemens Breisinger & Dr. Claudia Ringler (IFPRI),
Dr. Amgad Elmahdi (IWMI), and Dr. Jacques Wery (ICARDA)
Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, scene-setting, and order of the day by Yumna Kassim, IFPRI. (3 mins)
The Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving water and food security by Joachim von Braun (Chair of the Scientific Group for the UNFSS) – by video. (5 mins)
Water and Food System Transformations in Egypt by IFPRI. (5 mins)
The Need for System Transformation: A few thoughts from the policy by Mahmoud Abou Zeid (President of the Arab Water Council) (TBC). (5 mins)
Crop-level Solutions by ICARDA. (5 mins)
New Water Solutions by IWMI. (5 mins)
Introduction to breakout groups by Yumna Kassim, IFPRI. (3 mins)
6 Breakout group discussion by all. (40 mins)
Feedback from breakouts by all. (30 mins)
Panel discussion on the way forward by a moderator: Claudia Ringler (IFPRI), Phil Riddell (Advisor MWRI, TBC), Hammou Laamrani (League of Arab States, TBC), Dina Saleh (IFAD, TBC), Yasser AlShayeb (COEW-AUC, TBC), Hassan Husseiny (Gebal Egypt, TBC), and Farmer representative from TBD.
Wrap-up of key messages and next steps by TBD. (5 mins)

The Dialogue is expected to gather around 100 participants/stakeholders from Egypt and regional and international partners. Arabic translation will be available, except in breakout rooms.
Thematic areas for breakout group discussions:

Food and Water Systems in a Changing Climate. Key questions: How can we retain water and food security under climate change in Egypt (and the MENA region)? Do we need to change or expand water sources, change commodities, sustainable development, multi-functional and benefits infrastructure, governance beyond water (nexus governance), etc.?
Policy Coherence and Institutional Coordination across Water and Food Security in Egypt. Key questions: What practical steps can/should be taken to ensure policy coherence and institutional coordination to jointly improve water and food security in Egypt to meet future needs? Are policy/institutional set-ups encouraging partnerships and investments by the private sector?
Equity Considerations in access to affordable Water and Food. Key questions: How can we improve equity in access to water and food and nutrition security for the poorest? Are current government policies adequate? Do we need to go beyond water and food policy to nexus policy?
Digitally informed Climate-Smart Solutions for Agri-Food Transformation in Egypt. Key questions: Have we fully explored all technological, innovative, and agronomic solutions to improve water and agricultural productivity in Egypt’s food production systems? Are we producing the right agricultural commodities (including livestock and fisheries)? How can we eliminate water pollution in Egypt? Produce more with less water and energy? Are we adopting and investing in the right digital Climate-Smart Agriculture?
Food System Efficiency beyond Production for a Greener and More Resilient Future? Key questions: What actions are needed to improve food systems beyond production, along the value chain, with no harm to natural resources? This includes water use in food processing, preparation, transportation, retailing, and consumption. This also includes the role of water in international and regional trade.
Food Systems Changes for improved Water Security. Key question: How can we change Egypt’s food systems to support all aspects of SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation? This could include changing diets, changing food processing practices, de-risking agricultural systems, redesigning the farming system, eco-nexus farming?

Check out to learn more about the UNFSS Dialogues.

UNFSS Independent Dialogue in Pakistan: Role of Water-Energy-Food Nexus for achieving food security in a changing climate
2021-04-21 10:00 - 12:30 UTC
Date and Time: 21/04/2021 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Meeting platform: Zoom (Will be shared soon), By invitation only
About:
Join us for an Independent Dialogue convened by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners to discuss water‐energy‐food (WEF) nexus approaches to achieve food systems transformation in Pakistan. Insights emerging from this national, multi‐stakeholder forum will be presented at the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 #SDGS. The expected key outcome of this dialogue would be getting involved and sharing the views of stakeholders across Pakistan on sustainable food systems transformation and the importance of the WEF nexus in a changing climate. Reaching a common understanding of the challenges and finding local solutions to the challenges facing food and water systems transformation along with attendant issues of water security for a range of other sectors will be explored.
The session is designed to be interactive, allowing for small group discussion, collective brainstorming, and agenda‐setting. As the region maps out the road to UNFSS 2021, this Dialogue will focus on the role of water and energy in food systems transformation. Speakers and panelists from across the world and the region will discuss how systems transformation for equitable food and water security in Pakistan can be achieved. The dialogue will provide a knowledge platform to better understand the water‐energy‐food nexus under a changing climate and guidance to develop more climate‐resilient water and land solutions at multiple scales (farm, irrigation system, basin, country, and regional) in Indus Basin. The outcome of this dialogue will support climate adaptation interventions at various scales leading to reduce water consumption from the agriculture sector in the Indus Basin.
This dialogue is based on invitation and participants are expected to present from Keyline Ministries and Agencies of Pakistan Government, National Research Institutions, FAO, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Universities, NGO’s, Private Sectors and Development Partners including CG Centers (IFPRI, ICARDA, and CIMMYT).
Curators:
Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, CR, IWMI Pakistan
Meeting Agenda:
The Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving water and food security via video from Joachim von Braun (Chair of the Scientific Group for the UNFSS). (3-5 mins)
The Road to UNFSS2021: The role of water in food systems transformation by Dr. Mark Smith (DG, IWMI). (10 mins)
Progress and challenges in achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger in Pakistan, and implications for water, energy, and food security by Mr. Ghufran Memon, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R). (10 mins)
Introduction to break-out groups by the curator. (5 mins)
8 Breakout group discussion by all. (75 mins)
Plenary discussion on feedback from break-outs by all. (30 mins)
Wrap-up of key messages and next steps by TBC. (10 mins)
Language:
English. Dialogue is expecting to gather around a hundred participants/stakeholders of the region and discuss the topic in identified following eight breakout working groups.
Thematic areas of breakout group discussions:

Moving towards low carbon energy for food production
Key question: How can we sustainably produce more food in the region using low greenhouse gas energy sources?
Climate change impacts on water and food security
Key question: How can we sustainably enhance food security without compromising water security in the context of climate change?
Policy coherence and institutional coordination in water, food, energy, and climate change that operationalize the WEF nexus
Key question: What practical steps can/should be taken to ensure policy coherence and institutional coordination to improve water, energy, and food security in the region?
Advancing technical WEF models, tools, and frameworks for decision making at multiple scales
Key question: How can WEF nexus models/tools facilitate a new understanding of interdependencies and trade‐offs in the WEF nexus, as well as foster data sharing and enhanced decision‐making in the region?
Enhancing resilience of water system across multi‐sector (agriculture, domestic, industry, and environment) demands
Key question: How do we build more resilient food and livelihood systems while protecting critical water sources, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services while satisfying growing water demand?
Socio‐Economic Benefits of WEF Nexus
Key question: What steps need to be taken to assess the benefits and trade‐offs across sectors, especially from a socio‐economic point of view (employment, health, migration, equity, GDP, etc)?
Community approaches to operationalize the WEF nexus
Key question: How can we promote equity and inclusion in WEF nexus governance to create opportunities for transformation towards more just food, water, and energy systems?
Trading in the WEF nexus across scales
Key question: How do we build resilience in interconnected food systems, from local to global scales?

Learn more about the UNFSS dialogues, here.

Harnessing Solar Energy for the Treatment of Water in Africa
2021-04-29 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Moscow)
Save the date for the Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) Webinar Series on the topic, “Harnessing Solar Energy for the Treatment of Water in Africa“.
Speaker: Dr. Endalkachew Sahle‐Demessie
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM EAT
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/xdn-izzp-nit

Panel series on theme "Agroecological and Regenerative Solutions for Stronger Communities.".
2021-05-19
A panel series featuring members of the UN Food Systems Champions Network and others moderated by Ruth Richardson and Danielle Nierenberg. The sixth panel event will focus on the theme “Agroecological and Regenerative Solutions for Stronger Communities” and is scheduled for May 19th, 2021.

Speakers include: Helena Leurent (Director General of Consumers International), Denisa Livingston (food justice organizer of the Diné Community Advocacy Alliance / Slow Food International), Tjada D’Oyen McKenna (Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps) and Lana Weidgenant (Deputy Director of Zero Hour International).

The next panel of the series will take place on June 10 and will focus on “Enriching and Diversifying Diets”.
A recording of the past panel sessions themed “Investing in a More Resilient Food System” from April 27, on “Developing Sustainable Fiscal Policy for the Food System” from April 6 as well as on “The Hidden Costs of Food Systems” from March 11 are available on the Food Tank’s YouTube channel. Details on past panel series and registration link is available here.

Register for the 2nd webinar: GBEP webinar series on promoting sustainable biogas
2021-06-03 11:30 - 12:30 (Europe/Helsinki)
You are warmly invited to the 2nd webinar in the 2021 Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Webinar Series on Biogas.
“Learning from successful case studies on biogas in Africa”
This webinar will present 3 varied case studies from Africa, and further discussion will focus on how policies and financing mechanisms contributed to the success of these models, and how they can be replicated elsewhere.
Register here | Agenda

More information on this webinar and the other webinars in the series is available on the GBEP website. You are encouraged to share the invitation with your interested networks.
