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Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus to increase food systems' resilience to climate change and conflict's cascading effects in the Mediterranean region

Webinar outcomes

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 15 p.

Author ​FAO, CIHEAM, UfM, PRIMA

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 6 July 2022, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of their engagement in adopting WEFE Nexus solutions and demonstrate the more comprehensive socio-economic benefits of their proposed practices on the food system at large, going beyond a fragmented system of sectors and players. Tackling the WEFE Nexus approaches from diverse angles of the Mediterranean food systems, they shared case studies and tangible examples of WEFE Nexus technical solutions applied in the Mediterranean region, reflecting on success factors and challenges, and discussing ways to facilitate replication and upscaling solutions across the Mediterranean, and influence policy change. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating how the WEFE Nexus could represent a paradigm shift in the international development agenda, moving from disjointed sectoral development interventions to a more integrated resource management and sustainable use. There is a need for transformation towards sustainable food systems that embrace a WEFE nexus approach to promote peace, recovery and resilience, characterized by interdisciplinary research and knowledge sharing, to be applied in practice through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, bridging the nexus knowledge gap requires capacity building and combined action by the scientific community, policymakers and practitioners on the ground, paired with high-level political will supported by a sound governance system. Last, but not least, technological innovation and nature-based solutions spearheaded by the private sector have the potential to democratize data generation and use and to minimize costs for the sustainable management and restoration of natural resources. For this to happen, there is a need for financial innovation in de-risking and investment mechanisms that target innovative agri-food businesses and incentivize WEFE nexus solutions.

Last updated 02/11/2022

Language English

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    Also available in:
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