In-person meeting in Lisbon, Portugal
Digital transformation in the context of WEFE Nexus refers to the strategic adoption and integration of conventional and innovative digital technologies across the interconnected systems of water management, energy production and consumption, food supply chains and environmental capital, in the spatial components of the S2S continuum. It involves leveraging advanced digital tools, data analytics, innovative technologies and related managerial approaches to optimise the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of integrated WEFE systems.
Digital transformation is not just a technological upgrade. It is a strategic imperative for creating more sustainable, resilient, and interconnected responses to sectorial challenges in a holistic approach. Embracing integrated digital solutions is essential for overcoming current challenges and preparing for the evolving socio-economic demands of the future, particularly as these are shaped by climate change impacts.
Key components of digital transformation include, but are not limited to, data integration, real time monitoring, analytics and decision support, smart infrastructure, inter-connected platforms, automatization and optimisation, innovative tech ecosystems, etc. Digitalization in a WEFE Nexus in a S2S approach can contribute to integrated and data-driven management for informed decision-making, optimising resource allocation, increasing efficiency in operations, promoting innovation, etc., thus enhancing climate resilience.
Currently, a draft ‘WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Mediterranean Source to Sea continuum’ is under elaboration. The Strategy aims to assist countries and stakeholders in improving the integration of policy and management frameworks and instruments across WEFE sectors and spatial components throughout the Mediterranean. The development of the draft Strategy is a joint initiative of UfM, UNEP-MAP and the EU, technically supported by GWP-Med, EU WES Project and the PRIMA Foundation. Two consultative Regional Roundtables on the Strategy contents have so far taken place, in Rabat, June 2023 as well as in the margins of the 5th Med Water Forum (Tunis, February 2024), with key contributions by PRIMA. The draft Strategy, which include references to digital transformation, is aimed to be presented at the next UfM Ministerial on Water (possibly to take place on the second half of 2025) as well as at the 24th Contracting Partners Meeting of the Barcelona Convention (December 2025, Egypt). Furthermore, the next UfM Ministerial Meeting on Water is suggested having three focus themes: WEFE Nexus; Financing & Investments; Digitalization.
The Launching Workshop of the regional consultation process on ‘Digital Transformation for advancing Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in the Mediterranean Source to Sea (S2S) continuum’ will be held on 4 June (09.00-17.00) and 5 June 2024 (09.00-12.30), in Lisbon.
The regional consultation process, that will be launched at the Lisbon Workshop, will:
- identify related strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats;
- highlight advancements made;
- craft recommendations for promoting digital transformation contributing to the draft ‘WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Mediterranean Source to Sea continuum’ as well as provide technical input to key regional political fora like the possible UfM Ministerial on Water, CoP of the Barcelona Convention, etc.
- help the PRIMA projects to adapt their research agenda towards transformational and actionable science that builds resilience to water scarcity and other natural resources management challenges under climate change impacts.
The regional process, including its Launching Workshop, is organised by the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT, TALANOA-WATER and H2020 TRANSCEND projects in synergy with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
