Workshop // Water-Energy-Food Nexus Implementation in the Maghreb

Where and when

The International University of Rabat (UiR)
Rabat
Morocco

18-20 Dec 2017

Participation is by invitation only.

Organised by

• The International University of Rabat (UiR)
• MEDRC Water Resarch
• Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)

Background

Water use is indispensably related to food production, and energy generation. Such complex interactions define the “Water- Energy-Food Nexus” (WEF Nexus), which is more and more central to water policy analysis and design everywhere. Water resources are particularly limited and vulnerable to pollution and weather extremes in the Maghreb countries. Yet, environmental protection is still considered partly in conflict with economic growth. The integrated perspective provided by the WEF Nexus may help meeting the needs of water use, by stimulating appropriate investments in the Maghreb region, on the basis of consistent and effective water policy and water governance.

The WEF nexus framework is particularly suited to the Maghreb region given the stressors, constraints and strong interdependencies between sectors. It is further necessitated by the cross-sectorial effect of climate change predicted for the region. The understanding of the dynamics of the water, energy and food sectors is essential for developing effective strategies for the sustainable use of these resources.

This theme focus on analyzing how global change affects the links between the water, energy and agricultural sector. We will especially address the question how future changes in climate and water demand may affect trade-offs and synergies between water for energy and food. To address these issues, MEDRC Water Research Center of Oman will organize in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation of Germany and the International University of Rabat (UIR) of Morocco a 2-days regional workshop (plus one day for technical visit) gathering renowned international experts together with representatives from the Ministries and other players of water, energy and agriculture in the Maghreb countries.

This international workshop will be a unique opportunity to transfer knowledge and help implementing the WEF concept in the Maghreb countries.

The workshop will highlight several aspects of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: (Water regulation and policies, Water resources and sustainable development goals (SDGs), Desalination and the use of renewables, Wastewater treatment, Renewable and sustainable energy resources, integrated energy-water planning, Energy efficiency, Solar and wind energy potential, water use efficiency and water productivity in agriculture).

Workshop Objectives

The objectives of this Workshop are to:

• bring in experience on competition, synergies and priorities among sectoral water usages and stakeholders in the Maghreb region and address trade-off solutions on how we are going to allocate water in the future
• share best practices bridging the gaps between governments, communities and business concerning collaboration among water users that result into water cost reduction
• discuss how policies in the Maghreb region can be improved by a Water Nexus perspective in order to create opportunities for green economic growth and achieve the SDGs

Agenda

Day 1

08.30 – 09.00
Arrival & Registration

Session 1: Opening and Introduction

09.00 – 10.30
Welcoming & Opening remarks

Moroccan Authorities (Minister or Secretary of State)

• Pr. Noureddine Mouaddib (President of the International University of Rabat, UiR) Pr. Elhachmi Essadiqi (Head of Aerospace Eng. School and LERMA research Laboratory, UiR)
• Ms. Daniela Diegelmann (Head of Regional Program: Energy Security and Climate Change - KAS - REMENA), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
• Dr. Jauad El Kharraz (Head of Research, MEDRC Water Research, Sultanate of Oman)

10.30 – 10.45
Coffee Break & Group photo

Session 2: WEF Nexus Concept in the Maghreb (Institutional Perspective)

10.45 – 11.00
WEF Nexus in Morocco: Challenges & Opportunities

• Dr. Siham Laraichi, Head of Concessions and Partnership Service, Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, Morocco.

11.00 – 11.15
WEF Nexus in Algeria: Challenges & Opportunities

• Mr. Tahar Aichaoui, Director of Studies and Hydraulic Infrastructure, Ministry of Water resources, Algeria

11.15 – 11.30
WEF nexus in Tunisia: Challenges & Opportunities

• Mr. Abderrahman Ouasli, BPEH, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Tunisia

11.30 – 11.45
WEF nexus in Mauritania: Challenges & Opportunities

• Lemhaba M’Hamed, Head of Energy National Office for Rural Water Service, Mauritania

11.45 – 12.00
WEF nexus in Libya: Challenges & Opportunities

• Mohammad Sidoon, Director of the Chairman Office of Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAOL), Libya

12.00 – 12.30
Discussion

12.30 – 13.30
Lunch

Session 3: WEF Nexus Concept in the Maghreb (Research Perspective)

13.30 – 13.45
WEX Nexus in Morocco: Desalination for Domestic and Agriculture uses

• Dr. Mahmoud Hafsi, Head of Technology Watch Department, IEA/ONEE, Morocco.

13.45 – 14.00
WEF Nexus in Algeria: Motivations, policies, challenges & opportunities

• Dr. Nadjib Drouiche, Head of Environmental Team, Centre de Recherche en Technologie des Semi-conducteurs pour l’Energétique (CRTSE), Algeria

14.00 – 14.15
The WEF nexus in Tunisia: A way for achieving SDG6 and opportunities of success.

• Dr. Olfa Mahjoub, Head of the Chemistry Laboratory for Water-Soil-Biosolids, INRGREF, Tunisia

14.15 – 14.45
Discussion & Coffee Break

Session 4: WEF Nexus: Regional Case studies

14.45 – 15.00
Desalination in Gaza: Water & Energy needs

• Eng. Rebhy El-Sheikh, Deputy Head of the Palestinian Water Authority, Gaza, Palestine

15.00 – 15.15
EcoPeace’s Water Energy Nexus project

• Mrs. Yana Abu Taleb (Jordanian Deputy Director EcoPeace Middle East)
• Mrs. Nada Majdalani (Palestinian Deputy Director EcoPeace Middle East)

15.15 – 15.30
Discussion

Session 5: WEF Nexus: Case Studies from the Maghreb

15.30 – 15.45
The CHRICHIRA Hydropower project, SONEDE

• Mr. Khaled Zaabar, Head of Energy Efficiency Division, SONEDE, Tunisia

15.45 – 16.00
Sahara Wind Power Project: A Regional Catalyst for Renewables

• Mr. Khalid Benhamou, Managing Director - Sahara Wind Inc., Morocco

16.00 – 16.15
Solar energy in Morocco: Projects achievements and feature development (Noor)

• Dr. Samir Rachidi, R&D Project Coordinator, Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), Morocco.

16.15 – 16.45
Discussion

16.45 – 16.45
Adjourn

Follow up event