GC46 interactive session - Challenges and opportunities in the water-food-energy nexus

15 February 2023

Time: 15.00 – 16.30 (CET)

Water, energy and food systems are deeply connected and critical for food security. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world's freshwater resources, and more than one quarter of the energy used globally is used for food production and supply chains.

Integrated water-food-energy systems can directly advance both food and energy production and sustainable water resource management, while contributing to job creation, gender equality and climate action.

This event will examine the connections between these three resources; the synergies, conflicts and trade-offs that arise from how they are managed; and the opportunities for increased investment.

Moderator: Mr René van Hell, Director Inclusive Green Growth and Ambassador for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Panellists:

• Her Excellency Dr Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister for International Cooperation, Egypt (coordinating Egypt’s Nexus of Water, Food and Energy Programme)
• Dr Kevin Kariuki, Vice-President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, African Development Bank Group, Kenya
• Aaron Leopold, CEO of EnerGrow
• Esther Penunia, Secretary-General, Asian Farmers’ Association, Philippines

Learn more on the 46th session of the IFAD Governing Council