FAO Water-Energy-Food Nexus Webinar series

Session 1: Understanding the nexus and nexus challenges: examples from the NENA region

2 February 2021 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+2

Our first session covered nexus concepts and provided a framework to identify nexus challenges. Example applications were shown from around the world.

Speakers:

• Domitille Vallee, FAO
• Annette Huber-Lee, SEI
• Youssef Almulla, KTH

Session 2: Tools and Methods to find Nexus Solutions: Examples from Morocco and Jordan

Experts discussed tools and methods to find nexus solutions, and provided a framework and examples from Jordan and the Souss Massa region of Morocco.

15 February 2021 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+2

Speakers:

• Francesco Fuso-Nerini, KTH
• Brian Joyce, SEI
• Camilo Ramirez Gomez, KTH

Session 3: A Water-Energy-Food Nexus approach for evaluating the sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet: The Case of Lebanon

2 March 2021 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+2

This session described the water-energy-food interconnectivity and the analysis for evaluating the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet in Lebanon. Farmers’ perspectives about production scenarios were be discussed.

Speakers:

• Sasha Koo-Oshima, FAO
• Sandra Yanni, AUB
• Roula Bachour, AUB
• Bassel Daher, TAMU
• Rabi Mohtar, AUB
• Rami Zurayk, Moderator, AUB

Session 4: The WEF Nexus on the ground: practical applications from the Maghreb and West Africa

16 March 2021 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+2

This session showcased evidence and experiences that demonstrate the relevance of the WEF Nexus for sustainable agriculture.

Speakers:

• Luca Ferrini, GIZ
• Maria Ana Rodriguez, GIZ

Session 5: Nexus and sustainability in theory and practice: Examples from Iran

30 March 2021 | 14:00–15:30 GMT+2

Our fifth session covered how the nexus connects to sustainability and introduced Sustainability Transition Pathways. Examples were shared from Iran and participants got the opportunity for some hands-on applications, along with discussion and Q&A.

Speakers:

• Bahram Taheri, Director of AUT Nexus & HSE Center & NRI Nexus Center
• Roya Zargarian, AUT Nexus & HSE Center
• Morteza Jalali/ Mohammad Moradi, NRI Nexus Center
• Seyed M. Mousavi, NRI Nexus Center/AUT Nexus Center partner

Session 6: The WEF Nexus in practice: multi-scalar case studies and a WEF Nexus Index

13 April 2021 | 13:00–14:30 GMT+2

In this webinar, three perspectives were presented, aimed at demonstrating 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 showcased the development of a globally applicable WEF Nexus Index to track nexus performance in a concise, understandable manner.

Speakers:

• Janez Susnik, IHE Delft
• Sara Masia, IHE Delft
• Gareth Simpson, Jones & Wagener

Session 7: Selected experiences with WEF Nexus decision-making: applications in Jordan and Morocco

27 April 2021 | 13:00–14:30 GMT+2

This session summarized the experiences of stakeholders in Jordan and Morocco in engaging in the WEF nexus process as implemented under the direction of FAO, followed by a Q&A session.

Session 8: Securing food sustainably: business cases of nexus innovation in the MENA region

18 May 2021 | 13:00–14:30 GMT+2

The session was held jointly with the NENA Innovation Zoominar series #2 organized by the Regional Innovation Flagship and with the WE4F MENA Regional Innovation Hub.

Ramy Boujawdeh (WE4F MENA Regional Innovation Hub), Lina Zgheib (Robinson Agri (LB)), Marc Aoun (Compost Baladi (LB/JO)), Sally Hassan (IRS-C (EG)) and Yossef Ben-Meir (High Atlas Foundation (MR)) presented, while Hannah Wuzél (WE4F MENA Regional Innovation Hub) moderated.

In this webinar, the WE4F (Water & Energy for Food) MENA Regional Innovation Hub shed light on the practicalities of supporting innovations designed to use less water and more efficient energy resources to increase and optimize food production in the Middle East and North Africa. Four change-makers and business leaders from the region presented their solutions and then engaged in a discussion with each other and the webinar participants about the requirements for a flourishing enabling environment that aims to make food security a reality for all segments of society. The webinar presented an exciting outlook into how home-grown regional solutions and green investment can contribute to a more sustainable planet.

Session 9: Selected experiences with WEF Nexus decision-making: an application in Jordan

8 June 2021 | 13:00–14:30 GMT+2

This session is implemented under the SIDA funded regional project “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for water efficiency/productivity and water sustainability in NENA countries” and will be presented by Francesco Fuso-Nerini and Camilo Ramirez Gomez from Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and Annette Huber-Lee from Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

This session will summarize the experience of stakeholders in Jordan applying the Water Energy Food (WEF) nexus process, as well as the outcomes of the analyses as implemented under the direction of FAO. Participants will have an opportunity to explore the WEF nexus integrated platform, followed by a Q&A session.