WGEO Panel Discussion
Mr. Alexandre Nevsky Medina Rodrigues, Special Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Cabo Verde
Mr. Vinay Nangia, Research Program Leader, Soil, Water, and Agronomy, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Mr. Bruno Brasil, Director, Secretariat of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation, and Cooperativism, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Brazil
Mr. Juan Carlos Mendoza, Director, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, International Fund for Agricultural Development
Ms Srijita Dasgupta, Climate Change Expert, Asia, CAB International (CABI), United Kingdom
Agriculture is a sector that is highly vulnerable to climate change, with impacts on food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Climate-smart agriculture practices can help to enhance resilience to climate change while ensuring food production and rural livelihoods. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] highlight the importance of climate-smart agriculture in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.
Climate-smart agriculture[2] practices encompass a range of strategies that can improve agricultural productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience to climate change.
These practices include:
What are the key elements of climate-smart agriculture that can significantly improve resilience to climate change?
How can these practices be implemented across different scales of farming operations globally?
What role do local and indigenous knowledge play in enhancing the effectiveness of these practices?
WGEO Panel Discussion
Mr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director of Water-Food and Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Mr. André Castro Santos, Technical Director, LACLIMA, Brazil
Mr. Vinay Nangia, Research Program Leader, Soil, Water, and Agronomy, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Ms. Mereoni Mili, News Reporter, FIJI Television Group of Companies
Water scarcity and pollution are increasingly pressing global challenges, exacerbated by climate change and population growth. Integrated water management (IWM) offers a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues by promoting sustainable water use, protecting water resources, and improving water quality.
Recent reports by the United Nations highlight the growing water crisis and the need for innovative solutions. IWM can help to ensure that water resources are used efficiently and equitably, while also protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable development.
Effective IWM requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of water resources, ecosystems, and human activities. Key elements of IWM include:
What are the most effective integrated water management solutions that address both scarcity and quality issues?
How can technology contribute to more sustainable water management practices?
What collaborative efforts are needed to implement these solutions across political and geographical boundaries?
Panel Discussion by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
Mr. Marco Frey, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, UN Global Compact, Italy
Mr. Nicola Tollin, UNESCO Chair on Urban Resilience, University of Southern Denmark
Dr. Daniele Barbone, CEO, Acqua Novara VCO, Water Management Company, Italy
Ms. Priya Gupta, Sarvpriye Foundation, IPE Global, India Mr. Vittore Negretto, Luav University of Venice, Italy
Mr. Franceso Fantozzi, Associate Professor, University of Perugia, Italy
Mr. Manav Khanna, Researcher, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy
The green economy is recognized as a crucial framework for addressing global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. Since the Rio+20 Conference in 2012, there has been a growing commitment to green economy principles, further reinforced by the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the forefront of this movement is the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), working to drive green, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development.
This side event, titled “The Role of Universities and Private Sector Inclusion in Sustainable Development,” aims to showcase how academic institutions and private sector entities can work together to create impactful, scalable solutions to sustainability challenges. By combining the innovation and research capacity of universities with the implementation power of the private sector, we can foster inclusive, results-oriented progress toward a sustainable future.
This side event will offer a platform to:
1. Highlight the Value of Collaboration
Discuss how partnerships between universities, private sector organizations, and governments can advance a green economy through sustainable business practices, research, and education.
2. Present Academic Contributions
Explore the role of universities in sustainable development, with a focus on research, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building in areas like climate adaptation, resilience, and resource efficiency.
3. Showcase Private Sector Initiatives
Illustrate private sector contributions to sustainable development, demonstrating how businesses are aligning their operations and investments with green economy objectives.
4. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing and Networking
Enable connections and exchanges among participants to support green economy initiatives and climate-resilient development.
To shape a meaningful discussion, we invite our speakers to consider the following guiding questions:
1. How can universities and private sector organizations collaboratively support green and low-carbon development?
2. What role can universities play in promoting sustainable practices within the private sector?
3. What are successful examples of private sector initiatives aligned with green economy goals?
4. How can partnerships between different stakeholders be leveraged to scale impact and operationalize sustainable development goals?
To help guide your remarks, here are some suggested discussion points:
Universities as Catalysts for Innovation: Universities play a critical role in advancing sustainable development through research and education. Speakers are encouraged to discuss how academic institutions contribute to climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable resource management.
Private Sector as a Driver of Sustainable Solutions: The private sector is essential in adopting green practices, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and implementing resource-efficient business models. We encourage speakers to share insights on private sector contributions.
Importance of Public-Private Partnerships: Effective collaborations between universities, businesses, and governments drive green growth. We hope to hear examples of successful partnerships that demonstrate the value of multi-stakeholder approaches.
Alignment with WGEO’s Goals: This side event aligns with WGEO’s mission to promote a green economy through multi-stakeholder engagement, creating a platform for discussing sustainable development at scale.
Through this event, we aim to achieve the following outcomes:
1. Enhanced Understanding of Stakeholder Roles: Gain insights into the complementary roles of universities and private sector organizations in fostering
sustainable development.
2. Showcase of Best Practices: Highlight successful case studies and initiatives demonstrating the impact of collaborative approaches to green growth.
3. Opportunities for Networking and Collaboration: Facilitate connections among stakeholders for potential partnerships in support of sustainable development goals.
As the world intensifies its efforts to meet climate goals, the contributions of universities and the private sector are essential to realizing the green economy’s potential. This side event offers a unique platform for speakers to share insights and best practices, fostering a constructive dialogue on sustainable development and how partnerships can operationalize green economy principles.
Register for this sessionPresentation by the Sultanate of Oman, WGEO GAGE Member
Ms. Parneet Kaur, Founder/Executive Director, Poetry for Planet, India
Ms. Christiane Parreira, Head of Sustainability, Sabesp, Brazil
Ms. Nika Moeini, Executive Director, Youth Climate Save Canada
Ms. Vivian Wood, Managing Director, Birba, Oman
As the global population approaches 10 billion by the middle of the century, the challenge of sustainably feeding this ever-growing number becomes increasingly critical. Water scarcity and the degradation of arable land further compound these challenges, demanding innovative approaches to agriculture and resource management.
The integration of indigenous knowledge with advanced meteorological data offers promising solutions that can enhance food production efficiency and water management. These integrated practices not only aim to boost agricultural yield but also strive to preserve the environment and empower local communities, including a significant focus on enhancing the role of women in sustainability efforts.
This panel discussion brings together experts and innovators from around the world to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: sustainably feeding a growing global population. Our speakers, who bring diverse insights spanning various disciplines, will showcase the power of blending indigenous knowledge, advanced meteorological data, and community empowerment—including the role of women in fostering local resilience.
They will explore scalable solutions that ensure food security, safeguard water resources, and promote environmental stewardship. In doing so, the panel will set the groundwork for building a more sustainable future, highlighting the essential roles of community empowerment and the integration of women into the core of resilience strategies.
Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Techniques
Role of Advanced Meteorological Data in Agriculture
Empowerment and Inclusion in Community-Driven Solutions
WGEO Panel Discussion
H.E. Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Dr. Nisreen Al Tamimi, Chairperson of Environment Quality Authority
Ms. Rebecca Carter, Director, Climate Adaptation & Resilience, Global/US Climate Program, WRI
Ms. Alida Saleh, Head of Sustainability Consulting – MEA, JLL
Mr. Matthias Berninger, EVP Public Affairs, Sustainability and Safety, Bayer AG
Ms. Mereoni Mili, News Reporter, FIJI Television Group of Companies
The interconnectedness of food, water, and energy systems is increasingly evident in the context of climate change. These three essential resources are interdependent, and disruptions in one can have cascading effects on the others. Sustainable development and climate resilience require a holistic approach that addresses the complex interactions between these sectors.
Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] highlight the growing challenges of food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy poverty, particularly in vulnerable regions. Addressing these challenges requires integrated solutions that consider the interconnectedness of food, water, and energy systems.
Effective management of the food, water, and energy nexus requires a systems-based approach that considers the trade-offs and synergies between these sectors.
Key strategies include:
What strategies are crucial for managing the interdependencies between food, water, and energy systems in a sustainable manner?
How can stakeholders ensure equitable access to these critical resources amid changing climate conditions?
What are successful case studies where integrated management has led to sustainable outcomes?
Panel Discussion by the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, WGEO GAGE Member
H.E. Taofeq Al-Sharjbe, Minister, Ministry of Water and Environment, Yemen
Mr. Jamal Al Sayyadi, Chief of Technical Office, Ministry of Water and Environment, Yemen
Mr. Abdulwahed Arman, Director, Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Water and Environment, Yemen
GCF Representative (TBC)
TBC
In the context of the worsening water security situation in Yemen, Aden is facing a severe water shortage due to heavy reliance on groundwater and increasing climate change impacts each year, compounded by the lack of integrated water resource management strategies. Additionally, coastal areas like Aden, and the Tuban Delta as the main water basin for Aden city, experience multiple challenges due to the rising demand for water, a severe shortage of groundwater, and increasing saltwater intrusion resulting from sea level rise.
With ongoing climate change, temperatures in the coastal areas of the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea are expected to rise by 3.5–4.0°C by the end of the century, alongside an increase in the number of extremely hot days (above 35°C) by mid-century. This will lead to higher evaporation rates, further reducing the availability of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
Furthermore, the number of rainy days is expected to decrease with prolonged drought periods, especially in the lower delta region, which includes Aden, intensifying the need for sustainable alternative water sources.
Rapid population growth in Yemen generally, and in Aden specifically (3.1 % annually), also places significant pressure on natural resources. Population increases drive demand for water and food, depleting available resources. Additionally, Aden has seen a large influx of internally displaced people due to internal conflicts, which has further strained the existing infrastructure and water resources, while agriculture consumes more than 80% of the water supply. This will threaten the livelihoods of residents in the Tuban Delta, the primary water source for Aden, as water scarcity threatens to reduce agricultural output, exacerbating the country’s food security crisis. Moreover, expanding new water networks to cover the water deficit in domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors will become increasingly difficult and costly.
In this context, seawater desalination is a necessary solution to meet the growing water needs in the Tuban Delta in general and Aden in particular. Studies show that water demand in the Aden and lower delta regions reached approximately 136.4 million cubic meters in 2022, of which 45.5 million cubic meters were for domestic use and 91.9 million cubic meters for agriculture. However, the currently available water supply is estimated at only 53 million cubic meters, resulting in a water deficit of around 84.4 million cubic meters. This deficit is expected to worsen, reaching approximately 90 million cubic meters by 2025 and 147 million cubic meters by 2050, making the desalination project essential to bridging the growing water gap and providing a sustainable water source for residents.
In light of these challenges, the need to establish a seawater desalination plant is increasing daily to address water scarcity and prevent its impacts on the development of Yemen’s temporary capital, Aden. Aden requires a plant with a production capacity of 160,000 cubic meters per day to cover the current deficit.
The desalination strategy outlined for Aden aims to achieve a daily capacity of 160,000 cubic meters of fresh desalinated seawater by 2035. The implementation is structured in three phases. Phase 1 focuses on establishing a desalination plant with a capacity of 25,000 cubic meters per day for the private industry sector, while Phase 2 involves creating plants that will provide 35,000 cubic meters per day for domestic use in new cities and residential compounds in Aden. This initial phase is planned for completion between 2025 and 2030.All phases of the strategy will be operated through public-private partnerships (PPP). In Phase 3, while the plants will still operate under the PPP framework, the public sector will take on the responsibility of managing and operating the desalination plants. Additionally, in parallel to Phases 1 and 2, there will be an upgrade of the public network to enhance the distribution of desalinated water. This collaborative approach aims to improve the efficiency and reach of the desalination efforts, ensuring that the growing demands of the population in Aden are adequately met by 2035.
The main objective of the event is to present Aden’s Roadmap to the potential financial actors and receive their feedback and inputs that can help to establish and enabling environment for seawater desalination implementation in Aden Governorate. The specific objectives and outcomes to be achieved are as follows:
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