Key discussion points included:

• Optimising water use for sustainable agriculture and industry;
• Leveraging the abundant sunlight in southern Mediterranean regions for solar energy production;
• Building capacity and empowering stakeholders through education and training;
• Strengthening cross-sectoral policy integration;
• Financing sustainable solutions and long-term resource management initiatives.

Dr. Jann Martinsohn highlighted the immense potential of the WEFE Nexus to support climate resilience and sustainable production, stressing that the political momentum is in place to drive these transformative solutions forward.

A highlight of the event was the participation of FrontAg Nexus, where Wubneshe Biru from our project coordinator UniBw M and Elisa Appolloni from our partner University of Bologna presented the project’s progress and provided an overview of the two Italian demonstration sites – an Indoor Hydroponic System at Salus Space and an Insect Farm at DISTAL Lab. Their presentations and participation showcased innovative approaches to sustainable resource use and contributed valuable insights to the Implementation Practice Group discussions.

The event also featured 12 demonstration projects, showcasing pioneering strategies for sustainable resource use across the Mediterranean.

The Finance Practice Group explored innovative funding mechanisms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of these efforts, with an emphasis on promoting best practices across the region.

Prof. Fadi Comair, President of The Cyprus Institute, underscored the importance of regional cooperation, policy integration, and capacity building, while Dr. Antonella Autino, PRIMA, reiterated the need for cross-sectoral support and noted that the creation of the WEFE NCoP was a critical step toward realizing these goals.

This launch marks a pivotal moment in the drive for sustainable resource management across the Mediterranean, setting the stage for continued collaboration and action under the WEFE Nexus framework.