The WEFE NEXUS International Conference, themed “Exploring and Bridging Nexus for a Sustainable Future,” took place on 11-12 February 2025 at the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco. Jointly organized by the BONEX and SureNexus projects, both supported by PRIMA funding, this significant event brought together a diverse array of researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners from around the world. Participants addressed the escalating challenges and opportunities within the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus, fostering dialogue and solutions for a sustainable future.
In today’s interconnected world, the intricate and interdependent relationships between water, energy, food, and the environment are more evident than ever. This reality is reflected in strategic frameworks and key policy documents from influential organizations such as the European Commission (EC), PRIMA, the United Nations (UN), UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). While these frameworks acknowledge the importance of the WEFE Nexus, the gap between strategic objectives and real-world implementation remains significant. Practical experiences that successfully translate these strategies into actionable solutions are still limited and not widely recognized.
It was within this critical context that the WEFE Nexus International Conference emerged, designed to deeply explore the challenges of implementing the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus. The conference investigated innovative strategies to bridge this gap, transforming the Nexus from a theoretical framework into a practical tool for sustainable development.
Through transdisciplinary discussions, the sharing of real-world experiences, and collaborative efforts, participants identified concrete solutions that integrated diverse stakeholders. These solutions incorporated gender-focused approaches, robust governance frameworks, and disruptive technologies. Ultimately, the conference aimed to forge new pathways, creating enabling environments that unlocked the full potential of the WEFE Nexus.
Conference Pillars:
The conference was organized around three key pillars:
WEFE Nexus in Governance: Focusing on policy frameworks and institutional arrangements to ensure effective governance of WEFE resources.
Gender and WEFE Nexus: Exploring the critical gender dimensions in WEFE resource management and promoting women’s empowerment.
WEFE Nexus Solutions: Showcasing innovative and ancestral resource management practices that contribute to sustainable development, with discussions on the challenges and opportunities for adoption.
DAY 1. FEBRUARY 11th
The final agenda for first day (February 11th) was as follows:
Following the opening session, Mr. Ali Rhouma from PRIMA presented a short video on "Specific Features of a WEFE Nexus Project Beyond Technological Innovations," highlighting the broader systemic, social, and policy dimensions essential for successful implementation.
After the coffee break, the coordinators of BONEX (Dr. Rafael Casielles) and SureNexus (Dr. Jordi Morató) presented their respective projects.
Dr. Morató introduced the SureNexus project, which aims to ensure a fair transition in managing the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus across the Mediterranean region. By translating conceptual Nexus knowledge into practical, evidence-based solutions, SureNexus supports climate change adaptation and sustainable development through the use of innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to optimize technology selection.
The project develops cutting-edge socio-ecological and technical systems, tested at demonstration sites across the Mediterranean, to enhance resource efficiency, resilience, and stakeholder collaboration. Additionally, it addresses pressing regional challenges such as water scarcity, agricultural sustainability, and ecosystem preservation, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to WEFE Nexus governance.
Following the presentation of the two projects, Mr. Mohamed Benhassi (CERES) delivered a keynote address on WEFE Nexus Governance. He provided in-depth insights into the key challenges, best practices, and strategies for integrating governance frameworks to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration and policy coherence. His presentation underscored the critical role of multi-stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and adaptive governance approaches in ensuring the long-term sustainability of WEFE Nexus initiatives. He highlighted the need for innovative governance models that foster resilience, inclusivity, and evidence-based decision-making, ultimately strengthening the capacity to address water, energy, food, and ecosystem interdependencies effectively.
Following the keynote presentation, a governance roundtable was held, bringing together experts to discuss key aspects of WEFE Nexus governance. The session focused on governance frameworks, challenges, opportunities, policy alignment, and the science-policy interface, emphasizing the need for integrated and adaptive governance approaches to enhance cross-sectoral coordination.
The discussion featured valuable insights from Mrs. Roula Khadra (CIHEAM Bari), Mr. Michael Jacobson (Sustainfood), and Mr. Mohammed Benhassi (CERES). Panelists highlighted institutional barriers, policy gaps, and innovative governance models, exploring how multi-level governance, stakeholder participation, and scientific evidence can drive effective decision-making and long-term sustainability within the WEFE Nexus.
To conclude the initial segment of the first day, selected abstracts submitted for the event were presented, showcasing key research and innovative approaches related to the WEFE Nexus. As part of the SureNexus contributions, Francesco Fatone from UNIVPM delivered a presentation titled "Enhancing the WEFE Nexus Policy Implementation: Evidence from Four Case Studies in the Mediterranean Region." His talk highlighted real-world applications of WEFE Nexus policies, drawing insights from four case studies across the Mediterranean. He emphasized best practices, policy challenges, and strategies for improving governance frameworks to ensure a more integrated, efficient, and sustainable approach to managing water, energy, food, and ecosystems in the region.
After lunch, a series of engaging sessions were conducted, focusing on the intersection of gender and the water-energy-food-environment (WEFE) NEXUS. These discussions explored the critical linkages between gender dynamics and sustainable resource management, highlighting innovative approaches and strategies to address challenges within this framework. Participants delved into case studies, shared best practices, and identified opportunities to promote gender equality while advancing the WEFE nexus agenda. The sessions fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, paving the way for more inclusive and effective solutions.
DAY 2. FEBRUARY 12th
The final agenda for second day (February 12th) was as follows:
The day commenced with a keynote address by Dr. Bassel Daher, titled "Multicountry Experiences with Trade-Off Analysis and the WEFE Nexus" Daher, a renowned expert in resource management, shared insights from diverse regional case studies, highlighting the complexities of balancing water, energy, food, and ecosystem priorities. His presentation set the stage for the conference by illustrating practical approaches to trade-off analysis, emphasizing the WEFE Nexus as a vital framework for sustainable decision-making across borders.
Following Bassel Daher’s keynote, Dr. Jordi Morató, Director of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, delivered a presentation titled "Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Ancestral Hydrotechnologies for Water and Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation" Drawing on his expertise in sustainable resource management, Dr. Morató explored how NbS—strategies inspired by natural processes—combined with time-tested ancestral hydrotechnologies, such as ancient irrigation and water harvesting systems, can address modern challenges. He emphasized their role in enhancing water and food security while bolstering resilience against climate change, offering actionable insights for integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary innovation.
After the coffee break, various case studies from both the BONEX and SureNexus projects were presented, showcasing innovative approaches and real-world applications of the WEFE Nexus. These included a diverse range of solutions, from cutting-edge desalination technologies to sustainable water and energy management practices.
One notable case study was the innovative desalination system inspired by mangrove ecosystems, developed by PLANET, which mimics natural processes to enhance water purification while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, the presentation highlighted the Tinos Ecolodge facilities, a model for sustainable living and resource management, demonstrating integrated solutions for water conservation, renewable energy, and ecological resilience.
These case studies illustrated how scientific research, technological advancements, and community-driven initiativescan be effectively combined to tackle water scarcity, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the Mediterranean region.
As a final conclusion, a panel discussion featuring the coordinators of BONEX and SureNexus, along with members of the IAV organizing team, was held to reflect on the key insights and main findings from the International Conference and highlighted key recommendations and final reflections, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to sustainability, governance, and technological innovation.. The discussion highlighted critical challenges, opportunities, and actionable recommendations for advancing the WEFE Nexus approach and strengthening collaborative efforts across sectors.
The conference featured three thematic pillars, each addressing key aspects of the WEFE Nexus through presentations and discussions:
P1. Governance: 9 presentations & 1 roundtable discussion.
P2. Gender: 10 presentations.
P3. Solutions: 15 presentations, with a strong focus on water-related challenges.
Dr. Jordi Morató provided critical reflections on sustainability, innovation, and policy integration within the WEFE Nexus, outlining key challenges and opportunities:
1. Addressing Climate Change Acceleration and the Biodiversity Crisis
The rapid acceleration of climate change, coupled with the biodiversity crisis and political instability, demands urgent action, making adaptation and mitigation strategies a priority.
2. Breaking Sectoral Silos
Cross-sector collaboration is essential to overcome communication barriers and enhance cooperation. Key facilitators include:
Capacity-building programs to enhance knowledge-sharing and stakeholder engagement.
Coordination mechanisms that promote integrated governance approaches.
3. Beyond Technological Innovation: Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Development
Technological solutions alone are insufficient; stakeholder involvement and mindset shifts are crucial.
Capacity-building initiatives should focus on fostering a culture of sustainability and cross-sector collaboration.
4. Analyzing and Representing Trade-offs and Synergies
A comprehensive analysis of trade-offs and synergies is necessary to align solutions with broader sustainability goals.
5. Assessing Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts
Solutions must be evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, including Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Social LCA (sLCA). Emphasis should be placed on societal benefits, social innovation, and new market opportunities. Social acceptance and health considerations must be addressed.
6. Technological Perspectives
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Ancestral Hydrotechnologies (AHT) offer effective, low-impact approaches for addressing WEFE Nexus challenges.
7. Data Sharing and Common Indicators
Despite the abundance of data and models, a lack of common indicators limits integration and decision-making. Developing WEFE Nexus Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is essential to standardize assessments and facilitate data-driven decisions.
8. The Materials Dimension: Waste as a Resource
A circular bioeconomy approach should be promoted, emphasizing:
wastewater reuse,
Nutrient recovery programs
Plastics recovery and recycling
Agricultural and industrial waste streams should be recognized as valuable resources, supporting sustainability and efficiency.
9. Developing Cross-Sectoral Business Models
Innovative business models should integrate cross-sectoral collaboration, creating sustainable economic strategies.
10. Gender Considerations
Gender equity must be embedded within WEFE Nexus approaches to ensure inclusive and effective solutions.
11. Policy Innovation & Regulatory Frameworks
Policy gaps within the WEFE Nexus must be addressed to drive sustainable progress. Opportunities exist within new and evolving regulatory frameworks, including:
The New European Wastewater Treatment Directive
Climate Change Policies
Decarbonization Strategies
Final Reflections
The conference underscored the urgency of integrating sustainability principles into digital transformation, governance, and technological advancements. Moving forward, fostering collaboration, developing innovative business models, and leveraging policy advancements will be key drivers in achieving meaningful progress within the WEFE Nexus.
By embracing cross-sector integration, inclusive governance, and cutting-edge solutions, the PRIMA projects (SureNexus and Bonex) and its partners are well-positioned to contribute to a resilient and sustainable future.
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