The UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC participated in and co-organized various events at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. Notably, the book "Good Practices on Ancestral Hydrologies as a Response to the Climate, Health, and Food Emergencies: Case Studies in Latin America" was presented.
The UNESCO Chair on Sustainability participated in the 10th World Water Forum "Water for Shared Prosperity". Among other events, we highlighted the participation in the following:
Extreme Water Events and Indigenous Peoples. How ancestral knowledge can support climate adaptation measures, organized by SD-WISHEES at the Water4All Pavilion (21/05/2023)
The voices of water. A contribution to the forthcoming UNESCO Virtual Science Museum, organized by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (21/05/2023)
WEFE NEXUS, organized by the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) (22/05/2023)
Ancestral Hydrotechnologies in Response to the Climate, Health, and Food Emergency, a technical session organized by the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability at UPC at the Spain Pavilion (22/05/2023). This session will present the book "Good Practices on Ancestral Hydrologies as a Response to the Climate, Health, and Food Emergencies: Case Studies in Latin America," edited by UNESCO-PHI Latin America and the Caribbean, CODIA, Spanish Cooperation, and the Ibero-American Network.
Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems NEXUS approach through Indigenous and Local Knowledge as a response for Climate and Food Emergencies, organized by the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability at the UNESCO Pavilion (23/05/2023).
Extreme Water Events and Indigenous Peoples. How ancestral knowledge can support climate adaptation measures, organized by SD-WISHEES at the Water4All Pavilion (21/05/2023)
The coordinator of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, Jordi Morató, presented the SURENEXUS project and ancestral hydrotechnologies as a response to climate change at the Water4All pavilion. SD-Wishees is an international program that brings together researchers, experts in water governance, and cultural heritage, collaborating with organizations that fund research to understand some of the innovative mechanisms in response to climate change, as well as breaking existing barriers to finance projects in this area.
The event was designed to discuss the NEXUS between Water and Climate and Cultural Heritage. Prof. Jordi Morató, coordinator of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, took the opportunity to present the SureNexus project as an example of a project integrating the quadruple NEXUS management of Water – Energy – Food and Ecosystems, using ancestral hydrologies as key elements in responding to the challenges of energy, water, and food security.
The session also features a presentation by the Project Officer of the PRIMA Program, Ali Rhouma, who discusses innovation pathways in response to extreme climate events and how nature-based solutions can aid in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The voices of water. A contribution to the forthcoming UNESCO Virtual Science Museum, organized by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (21/05/2023)
Prof. Jordi Morató and Dr. José Luis Martin Bordes, collaborator of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, finally addressed as panelists the relationship between ancestral hydrologies and the WEFE NEXUS. Emphasis was placed on the demonstration sites worked on in the SureNexus project and the connection of the W-E-F-E nexus in each of them.
The importance of ancestral hydrotechnologies as key elements in response to the climate and food emergency was discussed, as well as how water heritage can contribute to water security, energy security, and food security.
The panel was initially designed with the participation of four speakers, but ultimately it was conducted with only the two members of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability.
WEFE NEXUS, organized by the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) (22/05/2023)
Adopting the WEFE Nexus approach is vital for creating sustainable solutions to global challenges by integrating Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems. Almotaz Abadi (UfM) presented the conclusions of the Mediterranean Regional Process and the Water Forum (Tunisia 2024), while Ali Rhouma (PRIMA) showcased practical implementations of the WEFE Nexus for better water management in the Mediterranean.
During the final conclusion session, the panel gave the floor to Prof. Jordi Morató, who presented the work being developed in the PRIMA SureNexus project "Ensuring fair WEFE NEXUS transition for climate change adaptation and sustainable development implementation based on coupled nature-based solutions and Bioeconomy practices" as an example of the WEFE Nexus. Prof. Jordi Morató discussed how 15 institutions from 7 countries are collaborating and briefly explained the 4 demo sites, emphasizing the development of the AI-based digital tool designed to address the quadruple Nexus metrics (Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems). Prof. Jordi Morató highlighted that the tool in development addresses the following aspects:
Technological Aspects: Based on the use of nature-based systems (NbS) for water treatment and bioeconomy practices, as well as improving efficiency and energy recovery.
Circular Economy Aspects: Including the cost of solutions and circularity in all aspects.
Policy and Governance Aspects: The AI tool will also help evaluate governance-related aspects, including synergies and co-benefits among all stakeholders.
Climatic Aspects: Considering scenarios that include temperature increases and precipitation variations.
The AI tool is being developed with the performance of small and medium-scale solutions in mind. The model is constructed using SDL (Specification and Description Language) through standard graphic diagrams. It is a visual and easy-to-understand language that simplifies multidisciplinary interaction among team members.
Ancestral Hydrotechnologies in Response to the Climate, Health, and Food Emergency, a technical session organized by the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability at UPC at the Spain Pavilion (22/05/2023). This session will present the book "Good Practices on Ancestral Hydrologies as a Response to the Climate, Health, and Food Emergencies: Case Studies in Latin America," edited by UNESCO-PHI Latin America and the Caribbean, CODIA, Spanish Cooperation, and the Ibero-American Network.
At the Spain Pavilion, the technical session "Ancestral Hydrotechnologies as a Response to Climate, Health, and Food Emergencies" was held, aimed at presenting the concept of Ancestral Hydrotechnologies (AHT) and their potential as intangible cultural heritage linked to ancestral water management, adapting them to the current context of climate and health emergencies. The session was organized by the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, with the Regional Office of UNESCO for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Permanent Technical Secretariat of the Conference of Ibero-American Water Directors (STP-CODIA).
The session was opened by Miguel Doria, Regional Hydrologist of the UNESCO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. Miguel Doria emphasized the importance of Ancestral Hydrologies in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean and presented the projects being developed with the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, including the book to be presented later and an Inventory of Hydrotechnologies that will begin in a few months.
Following this, Dr. Jordi Morató, Director of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, gave the presentation "Ancestral Hydrotechnologies as a Response to Climate, Health, and Food Emergencies," which also introduced the quadruple NEXUS or WEFE NEXUS approach (Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems). In this context, the SureNexus project was presented as an example of a project addressing climate challenges in the Mediterranean region, also considering the use of AHT as tools for sustainable water resource management.
Subsequently, Octavi Quintana, Director of the PRIMA Foundation, presented "Ancestral Hydrotechnologies: An Important Contribution to Climate Adaptation and Mitigation and Link to the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean," and José Antonio Fernández from AQUAFONDO Peru presented "The Case of the Amunas: Ancestral Hydrologies as Systems for Water Sowing and Harvesting."
Finally, Conchita Marcuello from CODIA and MITERD, concluded the session and discussed the prospects of Ancestral Hydrotechnologies and the use of indigenous and local knowledge as a powerful tool for climate adaptation.
The session also featured the presentation of a new publication coordinated by the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, edited by UNESCO-PHI Montevideo with the support of CODIA. José Luis Martin Bordes from the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability presented the publication to highlight the potential of these systems as tools for climate change adaptation based on local ecological knowledge. The book "GOOD PRACTICES ON ANCESTRAL HYDROTECHNOLOGIES as a response to climate, health, and food emergencies. Case studies in Latin America" presents nine cases of Ancestral Hydrotechnologies characteristic of Latin America and the Caribbean, but with very different functionalities. The cover of the new publication is shown below.
Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems NEXUS approach through Indigenous and Local Knowledge as a response for Climate and Food Emergencies, organized by the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability at the UNESCO Pavilion (23/05/2023).
The UNESCO Chair on Sustainability organized the event “Water – Energy – Food – Ecosystems approach through Indigenous and Local Knowledge as a response to climate and food emergencies” at the UNESCO Pavilion, presenting the association of the WEFE NEXUS (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems) with indigenous and local knowledge.
Dr. Jordi Morató, Director of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, gave a presentation emphasizing how various ancestral hydrotechnologies, such as the Zenú hydraulic system, exemplify the WEFE NEXUS and how these systems can respond to climate challenges while ensuring water, energy, and food security. The SureNexus project was presented as an example of developing small and medium-scale solutions for the Mediterranean.
Ali Rhouma, Project Officer of the PRIMA Program, gave the presentation "Leveraging Indigenous and Local Knowledge in the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus Approach to Address Climate and Food Crises," highlighting key factors related to indigenous and local knowledge:
Recognition and Respect: Indigenous and local knowledge systems are often marginalized or overlooked in conventional decision-making processes.
Language and Communication Barriers: Indigenous knowledge is often transmitted orally and may be in languages that are not widely understood or documented.
Data and Documentation: Indigenous and local knowledge is often not formally documented or recorded in ways that are accessible to policymakers and researchers.
Resource Constraints: Indigenous communities may lack the resources, infrastructure, and capacity to fully participate in knowledge exchange and decision-making processes.
Dr. Javier Taks, from the UNESCO Chair on Water and Culture at Universidad de la República, Uruguay, presented "Ancestral Hydrotechnologies and Water Heritage in Latin America." The presentation was delivered via video due to streaming connection difficulties at the pavilion.
Finally, José Luis Martin Bordes, a collaborator from the same UNESCO Chair, concluded the event. He also presented updates on projects managed by the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability regarding Ancestral Hydrotechnologies, highlighting:
The new book "GOOD PRACTICES ON ANCESTRAL HYDROTECHNOLOGIES as a response to climate, health, and food emergencies. Case studies in Latin America," coordinated by the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, edited by UNESCO-PHI Montevideo, and supported by CODIA.
The project for an Inventory of Ancestral Hydrotechnologies as a response to the climate and food emergency in Latin America.
The International Conference on Ancestral Hydrotechnologies in Africa, scheduled for February 2025, in Kampala, Uganda.
During the 10th World Water Forum the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC organized meetings with strategic parters. Below, are a summary of the most important ones.
Meeting with Eng. Akram Nassar, General Manager, Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WSSA) from Bethlehem - Beit Jala - Beit Sahour
A meeting was held with Mr. Eng. Akram NASSAR, General Manager of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority of Bethlehem - Beit Jala-Beit Sahour. The SURENEXUS project, the DEMOSITES, and the work conducted at each of them were presented to him. Additionally, information was shared about the artificial intelligence tool under development within the project. In response, Akram Nassar presented the current state, issues, and challenges of water supply in the West Bank. He showcased the GIS system used by the company, which maps the entire distribution and sanitation network of the three cities. He explained the difficulties in water supply, considering that Israel controls a significant portion of it. He invited the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability to visit the region and seek solutions to the existing problems.
It was agreed to hold an online technical meeting to plan a technical visit from the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability to address the issues in the region. Dates and itineraries were discussed.
Meeting with Senegal Pavilion Experts
At the Senegal Pavilion, several meetings are being held to discuss potential cooperation for the development of an International Conference on Ancestral Hydrotechnologies in Africa. Initially, the UNESCO Chair delegation held a meeting with Mr. Mohamed Chérif Bassirou, coordinator of the monitoring unit for the 9th World Water Forum, under the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal. They directed us to speak with Alioune Deme, a specialist in Ancestral Hydrotechnologies.
Mr. Alioune DEME is affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, and serves as both a professor/researcher and Head of the Laboratory of Prehistory and Heritage at Cheikh Anta DIOP University in Senegal. The UNESCO delegation briefed him on their work regarding ancestral hydrologies, presented the SureNexus project, and sought advice on potential areas for joint cooperation. They mentioned the AI tool being developed within the project and discussed how this tool could assist in identifying relevant cases in his region.