[2018] Workshop on Mainstreaming and Implementing the Water-Energy Nexus for Sustainable Development in the African Region

Tuesday, 04 September 2018 - 10:00pm to Friday, 07 September 2018 - 6:00am

Description

Specific energy sources, such as hydropower, tend to be underdeveloped in different regions of the world. For example, only about 10% of hydropower potential in Sub Saharan Africa is currently utilized. Offshore wind power and equatorial solar energy are equally underdeveloped. Barriers include ecological footprints, capital costs and socio-environmental costs. Shifts in priority and investments are essential and can be driven by water and energy scarcity, particularly in regions poised for rapid economic growth.

While addressing the 2030 Global Sustainable Agenda, water is the key driver for sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) targets ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This cannot be achieved without energy and the infrastructures necessary to provide such services. In addition, it is equally important to achieve SDG 7, which addresses ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Thus, SDG 7 cannot be achieved without the water essentially needed to generate energy to fill the energy demand-supply gap.

Africa and developing part of Asia are the regions with the highest number of people without access to electricity. Agriculture is an important sector in these regions and a key source of water demand. For example, agriculture accounted for 80% of water withdrawals in sub- Saharan Africa. As countries in Africa region gain increased access to electricity, it will be important to put in place policies to ensure that it does not result in inefficient water consumption in countries that are already facing water stress.

With increasing demands for water and energy in developing countries, particularly those in Africa, it is important to understand their interlinkages between as well as potential water- energy nexus options that effectively contribute to meeting the water and energy demands. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the centrality of energy and water resources to sustainable development, and the vital role that improved access to both water and energy play in advancing progress in other areas, including health, education and poverty eradication. An integrated approach to water-energy nexus can increase energy efficiency, decrease water pollution, reduce costs of energy and water delivery, increase access to services, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This workshop will discuss Water and Energy targets and indicators including cross-sectoral mainstreaming and water- energy nexus and other goals. Implementation challenges and lessons learned from the African Region and other regions will be shared to mainstream and implement water and energy nexus to achieve sustainable development goals.

※This 3-day workshop will be organized from 4-6 September 2018 at the UN Conference Center of Economic Commission of Africa. This meeting is conducted in English only.

Programme

Concept note

Agenda

Formal Opening

Welcome speech:

Mr. Semu Moges (Consultant, the Water-Energy Food Nexus and University of Connecticut, USA/Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia)
Mr. Jong Soo Yoon (Head Officer, United Nations Office for Sustainable Development)
Ms. Fatima Denton (Director, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa)
Mr. Samba Thiam (Head, UN Environment Liaison Office to AUC, UNECA and Representative in Ethiopia)
H.E. Dr. Abraha Adugna Ashenafi (State Minister, Irrigation Sector, Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity of Ethiopia)

Day 1 (September 4, 2019)

Session 1: Setting the Context

Moderator and Keynote speech:

"Water Nexus with other Development Factors: Energy, Food Security, Gender, Poverty, Ecosystem & Climate Change" - Ms. Birguy Lamizana (Programme Management Officer, UN Environment)

Panel Discussion:

"Water and Energy Development as Entry Point to Major the SDGs Success" - Ms. Isabel Raya (Sustainable Energy Consultant, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
"Water and Climate nexus and data availability" - Mr. Solomon Gebrechorkos (Researcher, UNU-Flores)
"Challenges and Opportunities in Mainstreaming and Implementing the Water and Energy Nexus" - Mr. Manzoor Qadir (Assistant Director, United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health)
Mr. Mark Howells

Session 2: Water Statistics and Indicators Efforts

Moderator and Keynote speech:

"Water and Sustainable Development in Africa" - Mr. Tom Ogol (Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute - Africa)

Panel Discussion:

"Water Indicators for Sustainable Development" - Mr. Paul Yillia (Research Scholar, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)
Mr. Frank Rutabingwa (Senior Natural Resources Officer, UNECA)
"Water Supply and Sanitation Statistics for Ethiopia" - Mr. Nuredin Mohammed (Director, Water Supply and Sanitation, Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity)
Ms. Olfa Mahjoub (Assistant Professor, National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry, Tunisia)

Session 3: Energy Statistics and Indicators Efforts

Moderator and Keynote speech:

"Energy and Sustainable Development in Africa" - Ms. Meseret Zemedkun (Programme Management Officer, UN Environment)

Panel Discussion:

"Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development" - Mr. Linus Mofor (Senior Natural Resources Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa)
"NEPAD Regional Energy Trade and Challenges" - Mr. Mosad Elmissiry (Professor, New Partnership for Africa’s Development)
"Resources Efficiency Indicators" - Ms. Kitty van der Heijden (Director, World Resources Institute -Europe and Africa)

Day 2 (September 5, 2018)

Session 4.1: Water and Energy Nexus

Moderator:

Mr. Riccardo Zennaro (Associate Programme Officer, UN Environment)

Panel Discussion:

"Water-Energy Nexus under Water and Energy Scarcity" - Mr. Manzoor Qadir (Assistant Director, United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health)
"Water Nexus with Other Development Factors: Energy, Food Security, Gender, Poverty, Ecosystem and Climate Change" - Ms. Birguy Lamizana (Programme Management Officer, UN Environment)
"Water and Energy: Some Kep Pointer" - Mr. Alan Nicol, Strategic Program Leader (International Water Management Institute)

Session 4.2: Water and Energy Nexus

Moderator:

Riccardo Zennaro (Associate Programme Officer, UN Environment)

Panel Discussion:

"The Key Role of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Water Management" - Mr. Marco Aresti (Access to Energy Senior Manager, RES4Africa)
"New and Alternative Financial Mechanisms in the Water and Energy Sectors" - Mr. Salfiso Kitabo (Country Director Ethiopia, Water.org)
"New partnership to explore sustainable water and energy solutions" - Ms. Isabel Raya (Sustainable Energy Consultant, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs)

Session 5: Challenges and Opportunities in Mainstreaming and Implementing the Water and Energy Nexus: Regional Cases

Moderator:

Ms. Eunhae Jeong, Senior Development Management Expert, United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD)

Regional Cases

Northern Africa - Ms. Rana El-Guindy (Senior Specialist, Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency)
Southern Africa - Ms. Karin Reiss (Energy Efficiency Expert, Southern Africa Development Community Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency)
Eastern Africa - Mr. Michael Kiza (Programme Management Expert, Eastern Africa Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency)
Europe - Mr. Jens Leibe (Senior Programme Expert & Regional Focal Point for Europe, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization & International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training)

Session 6: Challenges and Opportunities in Mainstreaming and Implementing the Water and Energy Nexus: Country Cases

Moderator:

Mr. Linus Mofor (Senior Natural Resources Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa)

Country Cases:

Ethiopia - Mr. Mandefro Nigussie (Director General, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research)
Ghana - Mr. Seth Mahu (Deputy Director, Ministry of Energy of Ghana)
Sierra Leone - Mr. Paul Saffa (Deputy Director, Ministry of Energy of Sierra Leone) & Mr. Mohamed Sahr Juanah (Head of Water Resources, Ministry of Water Resources of Sierra Leone)
South Korea - Mr. Eun Namkung (Professor, Seoul National University)

Day 3 (September 6, 2018)

Session 7: Closing the Gaps on Water-Energy Nexus in achieving the SDGs

Moderator:

"Closing the gaps on water-energy nexus in achieving the SDGs" - Mr. Manzoor Qadir (Assistant Director, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health)

Group Discussions on the Key Findings & Plenary Discussions