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Regional Webinar: Optimizing Desalination under Continental Drying Conditions Through a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus Approach in the Mediterranean

Event Details:

  • Date:          Tuesday, 25 November 2025
  • Time:         Starts: 10:00
  • Venue:       This is an online-only webinar.  Click here to register
  • Speakers:  See programme, below

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Organizers
The Cyprus Institute, as coordinator of the PRIMA-funded project WEFE4MED (Nexus Community of Practice – NCoP), with the support of GWP-Med, in collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

About the Session
This is an Open Online Session in the framework of the Regional Workshop on “Optimizing Desalination under Continental Drying Conditions through a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus Approach in the Mediterranean”, which will take place by invitation on 25–26 November 2025 in Nicosia.

The Regional Workshop is jointly organised by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the PRIMA-funded project WEFE4MED (NCoP), coordinated by The Cyprus Institute, with the support of GWP-Med.

Session Overview
The Mediterranean is one of the regions most affected by water scarcity and climate-driven drying trends and other impacts. As pressures on freshwater resources intensify, desalination is becoming an increasingly important option for securing water supply. Yet, its sustainable deployment requires integrated thinking across sectors.

The Open Online Session aims to foster cross-sectoral dialogue and knowledge exchange among researchers, policymakers and practitioners from across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

It will introduce the overall objectives of the Workshop and frame the discussion on how desalination can contribute to water, energy, food and ecosystem security in the Mediterranean region through a WEFE Nexus approach in the Source to Sea continuum. It will elaborate on the need for sustainable, integrated solutions in response to the ongoing drying trends and mounting pressures on natural resources. It will also refer to relevant policy initiatives, including the European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy and the draft “Strategy on WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea continuum”, elaborated within the frameworks of the Union for the Mediterranean, Barcelona Convention (UNEP/MAP) and the European Union. 

 

 

Programme

Opening

Message: Dr. Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
Welcome remarks:

- Prof. Stavros Malas, President, Cyprus Institute
- Dr Jann Martinsohn, Head of Ocean and Water Unit – D.2, European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Dr. Antonella Autino, Project Coordinator, PRIMA
- Mr. Frederic de Dinechin, Senior Policy Advisor, Water Environment and Blue Economy Division, Union for the Mediterranean, (TBC)
- Mr. Vangelis Constantianos, WEFE4MED Co-coordinator, Executive Secretary & Regional Coordinator, GWP-Med

Setting the Stage

- Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Chief Executive Officer & Founder at WECEN

Topic: Desalination in the Mediterranean and its interlinkages with the WEFE Nexus

Practitioner insights – Lessons from the Region

- Prof. Hama El Fil, Head of Laboratory, Center of Water Researches and Technologies (CERTE), Tunisia (TBC)

Topic: WEFE Nexus-desalination linkages and regional perspectives from Tunisia

- Prof. Khaoula Khaless, Associate Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco

Topic: Brine management and its applications in fertilizers and agriculture, based on experience from Morocco

- Dr. Marios Georgiou, Head of PROTEAS, The Cyprus Institute, Cyprus

Topic: Innovative approaches from Cyprus, linking renewable energy systems and desalination
Brief Conclusions

 

For updates and more information, visit the WEFE4MED Knowledge Hub or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

 

The event is in English and is open to the public.

This is an online-only event.  Click here to register
Images and/or recordings of our open public events may be used by The Cyprus Institute for dissemination purposes including print and digital media such as websites, press-releases, social media, and live streaming.

 

       

 

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