The Web Summit Qatar 2025, held in Doha from February 23 to 26, welcomed a record 25,747 attendees from 124 countries, solidifying its status as the MENA region’s top startup event with 381 speakers, 1,520 startups, and 723 investors. A highlight was the UNESCO-PwC Masterclass, “Balancing AI Climate Innovation and Sustainability,” featuring keynote speakers Leona Verdadero, Prof. Mohamed Essaaidi, and Dr. Jordi Morató, who explored AI’s role in addressing water, energy, food, and ecosystem challenges.
Web Summit Qatar has reached full capacity this year, welcoming 25,747 attendees from 124 countries—an increase of over 10,000 participants compared to last year. This growth has solidified its position as the MENA region’s leading startup event. The summit features 381 speakers, 1,520 startups, and the participation of 723 investors.
As part of the event, an agreement between the UN and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) led to the organization of a Masterclass on “Balancing AI Climate Innovation and Sustainability”.
Below are some images from the Masterclass coordinated by UNESCO and PwC, featuring the three keynote speakers: Leona Verdadero from UNESCO Paris, Prof. Mohamed Essaaidi from Mohammed V University in Morocco, and Dr. Jordi Morató from UPC. The session focused on key sustainability challenges and innovative solutions using Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the framework of UNESCO’s initiatives and PwC’s expertise in digital transformation and governance.
Dr. Mohamed Alaoui from UNESCO introduced the three keynote speakers, setting the stage for an insightful discussion on sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation. As seen in the following images, he provided an overview of the session's objectives, highlighting the significance of collaboration between UNESCO, PwC, and academic institutions in addressing global challenges. His introduction emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary approaches in developing effective solutions for sustainable development.
Leona Verdadero presented UNESCO’s latest report, "Generative AI and the Environment," which explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. The report examines both the opportunities and challenges posed by generative AI in addressing climate change, resource management, and ecosystem conservation. During her presentation, Verdadero highlighted key findings, including AI’s potential to enhance climate modeling, optimize energy consumption, and improve environmental monitoring. She also addressed concerns about the technology’s high energy demands, the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making, and the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible development and deployment.
The session underscored UNESCO’s commitment to fostering international dialogue on AI governance, advocating for policies that balance technological innovation with environmental stewardship. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders seeking to harness AI’s capabilities for sustainable development while mitigating its ecological footprint.
In the framework of that masterclass, Dr. Jordi Morató make a presentation tittled “AI powered Technology Selection: Boosting Resilience in the WEFE Nexus Framework. Research on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus highlights the critical interconnections between these systems and their profound effects on society and the environment. Managing WEFE resources presents complex challenges, driven by increasing demand and the urgent need to ensure water, energy, and food security while mitigating environmental impacts, all under the pressures of population growth and climate change.
In this context, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya is leading the SURENEXUS project, titled "Ensuring a Fair NEXUS Transition for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development through Coupled Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Bioeconomy." Funded under the PRIMA 2021 call (https://surenexus.eu), the project harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to design optimal strategies for sustaining food production with minimal ecological impact, while simultaneously safeguarding water and energy security.
This presentation introduces a framework designed to leverage AI for evaluating the performance of the WEFE Nexus, supported by a simulation model and a participatory methodology that fosters collaboration among stakeholders across sectors. We propose a guideline document to facilitate the evaluation of WEFE Nexus metrics through the creation of a digital twin, capable of optimizing results by collecting real-time data from demonstrative sites. The simulation model explores the interrelationships within the WEFE Nexus, assessing the trade-offs between its components through a "compensation module." This module incorporates a semi-automated technology selection process, guiding the identification of effective strategies to manage critical aspects of the WEFE Nexus. It aims to achieve optimal outcomes for water, food, and energy security while minimizing ecological impact. Key technologies included are nature-based solutions (NbS) for water treatment, energy recovery technologies, bioeconomy practices, and more.
The AI-driven technology selection methodology will automate predictive modeling and solution optimization, enhancing decision-making processes while promoting integrated, cross-sector solutions.
Below are some of the key advantages from the AI-driven model for WEFE Nexus management:
The new AI-driven model supports informed decision-making for the complex management of the WEFE Nexus, analyzing interconnections, trade-offs, and delivering integrated solutions that ensure water, energy, and food security while safeguarding ecosystems.
Developed through a transdisciplinary approach with input from all relevant stakeholders, the conceptual model includes a comprehensive assumptions document and a graphical SDL-based digital twin, facilitating collaboration and providing a visual representation of the system's behavior.
·A compensation block was seamlessly integrated into the model, enabling semi-automated technology selection to identify the most effective strategies, incorporating solutions for water treatment, energy recovery, and bioeconomy practices to optimize WEFE Nexus performance.
The final session of the Masterclass concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where attendees had the opportunity to interact with the keynote speakers and delve deeper into the themes presented. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the ethical considerations of AI in environmental governance, the role of digital transformation in water and energy management, and the need for stronger international cooperation to address sustainability challenges.
Leona Verdadero responded to questions regarding UNESCO’s role in guiding AI policies for environmental sustainability. She emphasized the importance of regulatory frameworks and transparent AI governance to ensure that generative AI technologies contribute positively to climate action without exacerbating energy consumption and digital inequality.
Dr. Jordi Morató addressed inquiries on nature-based solutions and the integration of AI in circular economy approaches. He provided examples of AI applications in technology selection for water and energy eficiency, ecosystem restoration, waste management, and sustainable urban planning, reinforcing the idea that technological innovation must be complemented by inclusive policies and community engagement.
The session wrapped up with a collective call to action, encouraging participants to explore collaborative projects and apply the insights gained to real-world challenges. The discussions reinforced the need for cross-sector partnerships and interdisciplinary research to drive meaningful impact in the fields of AI, sustainability, and digital transformation.
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