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Photo Credits: OpenAfrica (2018) by RES4Africa Foundation

This training is organized in the context of acquiring a better understanding of the “Water-Energy-Food” (WEF) Nexus that is essential for human well-being, poverty alleviation, and for achieving the multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Projections in Africa indicate that by 2030 its population will increase and reach to more than 2 billion hence entailing a significant increase in water consumption by 283%; and demand of energy - by 70 % - and food by 60%. (RES4Africa, 2019). To address these gaps and challenges and achieve the goals of global and continental development policy processes (Agenda 2030), the African Union Agenda 2063, as well as the Paris Agreement 2015 on climate action, innovative, integrated environmental solutions and business models, are required.

It is against this backdrop that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa Office Energy Unit and the Ecosystem Division (Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities) in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa (RES4Africa) are joining forces to organize a series of online webinar trainings on the WEF Nexus. The first training will take place on Thursday, 26 March 2020, from 2:00-3:30 PM (EAT). It will mainly focus on the contribution of renewable energy towards the implementation of the WEF Nexus.

The main objective of this online training is to strengthen and enhance a better understanding of the contribution of renewable energy to the integrated approach and business models related to the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the context of achieving sustainable development in Africa. In this training, emphasis will be given to re-thinking the access to energy business models through WEF Nexus approaches and cross-sectorial partnerships, paving the way for Africa’s long-term sustainable economic growth.

Further, a  brief presentation on “Water-Energy-Food-Nexus” with a focus on the contribution of wastewater to this nexus will be delivered. This could serve as a path for providing an introduction to the second webinar that will be focusing mainly on the contribution of water towards the implementation of WEF Nexus. 

Join the webinar on Thursday, 26 March 2020, from 2.00-3.30 PM Nairobi time (EAT). Please register here.

Recording of the webinar: https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/32013

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Roberto

Roberto Vigotti is the Secretary-General of RES4Africa Foundation. He has more than 30 years’ experience in Enel where he covered various positions, from coordinating the research in the Research and Development Division to advising on strategy in the Business                  Development Division. In 2012 he embarked on the RES4Africa adventure, to promote renewable energy in Africa as a reliable and cost-effective way to meet local energy needs for sustainable growth.

Marco

Marco Aresti, as Access2Energy Programme Manager at RES4Africa Foundation, focuses on exploring and identifying innovative technical and business solutions to increase energy access in Africa. His professional challenge is to analyze expected scenarios in the post-carbon era, through the changing energy generation model and business model development for energy utilities.

Luca

Luca Traini is Senior Business Development and Partnership Officer at RES4Africa Foundation, with experience in sustainable development, energy and water sectors. With more than seven years of experience, he had the opportunity to work in European, African and Asian countries as Business Development Specialist and in Tanzania as Country Manager. Luca strongly believes in the potential of business development initiatives as they constantly evolved from ideas to the analysis, and to projects.

Birguy

Birguy Lamizana has more than 20 years of working experience in the field of ecosystems and water management, environmental impacts assessments, community involvement, and capacity building related to integrated water resources management. Before joining UNOPS in 2009, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2012, Birguy served as Coordinator of the IUCN West Africa Regional Wetlands and Water Resources Programme. She was also the Regional Coordinator for the Global Water Partnership (GWP), and Technical Advisor for the African Development Bank (AfDB). Birguy is currently the Programme Management Officer in charge of wastewater management at UNEP.

The webinar will be moderated by Meseret Zemedkun, Programme Management Officer in charge of energy at UNEP.