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THEME [INCO.2012-1.3]

INCONET – Mediterranean Partner Countries

Deliverable N.: D3.2

Title: Second Knowledge Base report

Funding scheme: Coordination and support action

Project Acronym: MED-SPRING

Project Coordinator: CIHEAM-IAMB, Claudio Bogliotti

Grant Agreement n°: 311780

Authors: CSIC

Dissemination level: PU (Public)

Coding: MEDSPRING/WP3/D3.2/Second Knowledge Base progress report

Official delivery date: M24

Project start: 1 February 2013 Project duration: 48 months

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Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6

1. Knowledge news on RDI ........................................................................................ 7

1. Aix-Marseille and the Mediterranean: scientific challenges and collaborations

International Conference ........................................................................................... 7

2. Third funding cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility.................................. 7

3. International Conference on Research and Innovation for Sustainable Soil

Management - ICRISSM 2014 .................................................................................. 7

4. Research and Innovation in the service of Economy and Society European

Neighborhood and the Black Sea Region ..........Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito.

5. 31st round of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of

Innovation World Conference .................................................................................... 8

6. 8th International Learning Network (ILN) Workshop - Innovation through

International Cooperation .......................................................................................... 8

7. WIRE 2014 International Conference - Rebooting Regional Policy for Innovation

and Growth ............................................................................................................... 9

8. 13th edition of the FEMIP Conferences .......................................................... 9

9. Gaza in 2020 - A liveable place? .................................................................... 9

10. 8th SCARCE project E-Newsletter available ................................................. 10

11. Call for candidatures Hassan II Prize ............................................................ 10

12. Final SCARCE International Conference ...................................................... 10

13. MAGHRENOV project workshop on Capacity Building in EU-MPC ............... 10

14. MOBILISE project: Foresight exercise on cooperation between EU-Morocco on

research and innovation .......................................................................................... 10

15. Call for Participation, Papers, Presentations and Posters for e-AGE 2014 .... 11

16. Marie Curie Individual Fellowships at Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei ............. 11

17. Four new regional projects labeled by the UfM ............................................. 11

18. Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change ............................. 12

19. Roundtable on Neighborhood Policy and the Mediterranean Youth .............. 12

20. Research Meets Diplomacy - Europe as a Global Actor................................ 12

21. 5th INCO Conference - Addressing Future Challenges ................................. 12

22. Stakes and perspectives of trans-Mediterranean scientific research ............. 13

23. New Horizons / New Challenges: evaluation of STI policies, instruments and

organizations ........................................................................................................... 13

24. EU-Africa High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on science, technology and

innovation (STI) ....................................................................................................... 13

25. HORIZON - the EU Research & Innovation Magazine .................................. 13

26. MAGHRENOV Project Kick Off Meeting ....................................................... 14

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27. Strengthening economic cooperation: First Economic Forum of the Western

Mediterranean - Dialogue 5+5 ................................................................................. 14

28. FETRIC: The new BILAT in Tunisia .............................................................. 15

29. Greek EU Presidency - Main priorities in Research and Innovation .............. 15

30. WBC-INCO.NET Final Conference and Brokerage Event ............................. 15

31. Fifth HPC Production Access, LinkSCEEM - Cy-Tera Joint Call ................... 15

32. 4th Dii Desert Energy Conference 2013 ........................................................ 16

33. ENPI has published a list of Regional Projects ............................................. 16

2. Knowledge news on energy ................................................................................. 16

1. BETTER 4th Policy Brief - Future Prospects for RES Cooperation Mechanisms in

North Africa ............................................................................................................. 16

2. EUROSUNMED International School on Photovoltaics, Concentrated Solar Power,

Storage, Grid Integration and the Economics of Renewable Energy ....................... 16

3. Vienna Energy Forum 2015 .......................................................................... 17

4. Report on how to achieve 100% renewable energy by the World Future Council

17

5. Climate Policy Observer, the new website on climate and energy policies .... 18

6. Best Climate Practices for Energy Poverty Alleviation .................................. 18

7. Fifth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development ............... 18

8. Call for Papers - Renewable Energy Cooperation ......................................... 19

9. Oil, Gas and Energy Law Intelligence report ................................................. 19

10. Cyber Security and Critical Energy Infrastructure report ............................... 19

11. Micro-grids for Rural Electrification - A critical review of best practices based on

seven case studies .................................................................................................. 19

3. Knowledge news on water ................................................................................... 20

1. Third Arab Water Week 2015: Innovations & Sustainable Solutions for the Water

Sector in the Arab Region ....................................................................................... 20

2. Capacity Development to Support National Drought Management Policies .. 20

3. WssTP H2020 Brokerage & WGs Event ....................................................... 21

4. Final conference of IWRM-net Scientific Coordination Project ...................... 21

5. 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum .................................................................. 21

6. Green Infrastructure Guide for Water Management: Ecosystem-based

management approaches for water-related infrastructure projects .......................... 22

7. Successful completion of UfM project in Jordan and Tunisia ........................ 22

8. Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector - 1st Regional

Conference ............................................................................................................. 23

9. EIP Water Conference 2014 ......................................................................... 23

10. Kick-off meeting of the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum .............................. 23

11. Climate Change - Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture ....................... 24

12. Legal frameworks for cooperation on trans-boundary waters - Key aspects and

opportunities for the Arab countries workshop ......................................................... 24

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13. IMPROWARE International Symposium - Call for Contributions ................... 24

14. IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition ................................................... 25

15. Water Innovation Europe 2014 ..................................................................... 25

16. First Announcement for the 7th World Water Forum ..................................... 25

4. Knowledge news on water and energy ................................................................ 25

1. New SBC Energy Institute Fact Book - Introduction to the Water and Energy

Challenge ................................................................................................................ 25

2. UN Report on Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and

sustainability............................................................................................................ 26

3. Report on Energy and Water - The Vital Link for a Sustainable Future ......... 26

4. Connecting Water and Energy ...................................................................... 26

5. Thematic Debate of the General Assembly "Water, Sanitation and Sustainable

Energy In the Post-2015 Development Agenda" ...................................................... 27

5. Knowledge news on food ..................................................................................... 27

1. Erasmus Mundus Master EDAMUS on Food Quality and Safety .................. 27

2. Healthy Ecosystems Key to Better Food Security ......................................... 27

3. Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Agriculture ............................................ 28

4. Innovative Food Security Indicators in the Mediterranean region .................. 28

5. Powering Agriculture Portal .......................................................................... 28

6. CIHEAM and the Mediterranean Diet ............................................................ 29

7. Call for best sustainable development practices on food security ................. 29

8. Sustainable Energy for Food symposium ...................................................... 29

9. Info Day on Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 ............................................ 29

10. Side-event to EU-Africa HLPD on role of STI in promoting Food Security ..... 29

6. Knowledge news on food and energy .................................................................. 30

1. Growing Power: Exploring energy needs in smallholder agriculture .............. 30

2. Sustainable Energy for Food ........................................................................ 30

7. Knowledge news on water and food .................................................................... 30

1. Third Arab Water Forum Focuses on Water for Food, Cities and Energy ...... 30

2. Call For Papers - Tropical Agriculture: the Future of Food and Water Security in

the MENA Region ................................................................................................... 31

3. FAO - HLPE e-Consultation on the Scope of the Report - Water and food security

31

4. World Wetlands Day 2014: Wetlands and agriculture ................................... 31

8. Knowledge news on Nexus .................................................................................. 32

1. Launch of the Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE2W) Network ........ 32

2. Global Forum on Environment - New perspectives on the Water-Energy-Food-

Nexus 32

3. CIHEAM-IAMB article on water-energy-food security nexus ......................... 33

4. Nexus 2014 Conference - Date Change Advisory ......................................... 33

5. Water, energy and food nexus in the Arab region ......................................... 33

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6. Report on how agrifood firms are building new business cases in the water-

energy-food nexus................................................................................................... 33

7. Report on TheWater-Energy-Food Nexus - A new approach in support of food

security and sustainable agriculture ........................................................................ 34

8. Expert groups meeting on green value chains .............................................. 34

9. Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus ............................................... 34

10. Upcoming Webinar on the Water-Energy Nexus ........................................... 35

11. Workshop on Earth Observations and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus .......... 35

12. Co-optimizing Solutions: Water and Energy for Food, Feed and Fiber .......... 35

13. Delhi Sustainable Development Summit Discusses Energy, Water and Food

Security ................................................................................................................... 35

14. Call to Action for Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus .................... 36

15. Thirsty Energy: Securing Energy in a Water-Constrained World ................... 36

16. Water-Energy-Food Emerging Scholars Award - 1st prize funded invite to Oxford

University Workshop ............................................................................................... 37

17. International Conference "Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus" .. 37

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Introduction

The Knowledge base progress reports will focus on selected societal challenges, focusing

on cooperation, policy and thematic aspects. The report will describe the repository of

thematic/scientific news and documents as well as policy documents, communications,

projects' reports and other relevant documents, especially information and documents in

the project website. The knowledge base will be developed on the base of the aggregation

and review of the information and documents placed in the repository in order to provide a

comprehensive vision regarding specific themes, including forecasting, scenarios, actions

and suggestions for actions.

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1. Knowledge news on RDI

1. Aix-Marseille and the Mediterranean: scientific challenges and collaborations International Conference

Aix-Marseille University, together with its A*MIDEX partners - CNRS, Inserm, IRD, CEA,

AP-HM, Centrale Marseille, et Sciences Po Aix - will hold an international conference ”Aix-

Marseille and the Mediterranean: scientific challenges and collaborations" on February 12th

and 13th 2015 at Villa Méditerranée, with the support of the Regional Council and of the

A*MIDEX Foundation. This event will gather around 400 participants from the North and

South shores of the Mediterranean: teacher-researchers, researchers and teachers from

higher education and research institutions of the Mediterranean area, representatives of

politic, institutional and funding partners of research.

Read more: http://colloque.aix-marseille-mediterranee.com/en/.

2. Third funding cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is pleased to announce the opening

of the third funding cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility. The deadline for applications

is 18 February 2015 (17:00 Gulf Standard Time). Applicants need to register and apply

online. The Project Facility is now offering lower loan rates for all cycles. The IRENA/ADFD

Project Facility is seeking renewable energy projects in developing countries that are

innovative and have the potential to be models for replication and scale up. For information

about the Facility and to apply, visit: http://www.irena.org/adfd or contact adfd at irena.org.

Read more: http://adfd.irena.org/Highlights.aspx.

3. International Conference on Research and Innovation for Sustainable Soil Management - ICRISSM 2014

The "International Conference on Research and Innovation for Sustainable Soil

Management - ICRISM 2014" will be held from 27th to 29th November 2014 in Hurghada,

at the Red Sea coast, Egypt. Different Egyptian universities and research institutes, in

addition to SUDSOE partners contributions will be presented in several oral sessions and

poster ones. Industrial sector, in the field of soil amendments and fertilizers, will participate

in the conference activities. University Deans, governors and the Chairman of the Egyptian

academy of science and technology expressed their intention to attend the conference. The

DG official representatives and EU Cairo regional office are contacted to arrange their

participation.

Read more: http://www.fp4batiw.eu/news/item/100-international-conference-on-research-

and-innovation-for-sustainable-soil-management.

4. Research and Innovation in the service of Economy and Society European Neighborhood and the Black Sea Region

The overall objective of the RInES Conference (Thessaloniki, Greece, from 29th May 2014

to 30th May 2014) is to highlight the important role of the International Cooperation / INCO

for the EU by reinforcing the collaboration with the European Neighborhood / ENP and

Black Sea region countries within the framework of the research and innovation, exploiting

its potential as an integral part of a comprehensive package of external action. The ENP

and Black Sea region countries involved are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt,

Palestine Authority, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia,

Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and the associated countries: Israel and Turkey.

RInES Conference is co-funded by the International Cooperation Program of the 7th

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Framework Program of Research and Technological Development:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html.

5. 31st round of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation World Conference

The 31st round of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation

World Conference will come, for the first time, to the Arab World, taking place in Doha,

Qatar from the 19th to the 22nd of October, 2014.

The IASP World Conference is the biggest conference for Science and Technology parks

(STPs). The event brings together a number of professionals from Science and Technology

Parks (STPs), Areas of Innovation, technology-based incubators, academia, the public

sector and business. The theme of the conference is Science parks: where technology

goes to work and the time has come to launch the Call for Contributions to invite you to

submit your proposals for a paper presentation.

Following the path undertaken in previous years, this Call for Contributions has an open

structure which means that it doesn't have a pre-defined list of conference sessions, but

rather a variety of open themes and subthemes which you can choose from in order to

submit your paper proposal. Final sessions will be determined by the Steering Committee

once it has assessed the paper proposals and their content potential. The deadline for

submission is 2nd December 2013 and an online system for submission of paper proposals

will be open from 21st November 2013.

If you are interested in presenting a paper at our 2014 World Conference, check the the

web for information on the content threads as well as the technical specifications for

submission of abstracts: http://www.iasp2014doha.com/.

6. 8th International Learning Network (ILN) Workshop - Innovation through International Cooperation

Coordinators of EU - funded International Cooperation projects got together for their 8th ILN

meeting in Budapest, Hungary, from 7th to 8th November 2013, to share views, learn from

each other experiences and to develop synergies. The main topic of the workshop was how

to enhance international cooperation through bridging research and innovation. To

stimulate the discussion different stakeholders had been invited to share their views with

the plenary on international innovation partnerships. In three parallel sessions, focusing on

developing, neighborhood and industrialized / emerging Countries, the coordinators

exchanged their views on how to tackle the innovation dimension within their projects.

This was of specific interest as the new international coordination projects Research 2

Innovation (R2I), Bilateral Research Promotion Platforms (BILAT), International Co-

operation on Science and Technology Network (INCONET), are tackling the innovation

dimension from different angles.

In the parallel sessions in particular, region specific answers were found to questions

regarding experiences on the direct involvement of industry, SME and financial

organizations in the projects, or the relevance of non-technological barriers for innovation

partnerships. Other issues discussed were how to work with innovation clusters to promote

trade and entrepreneurship, how to interact with different capacity - building projects and

how to promote innovation partnerships on the principles of mutual learning and benefits.

The coordinators agreed on recommendations on how to foster better international

innovation partnerships in Horizon 2020. Read more:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf/newsletter/newsletter_number_40_december_2013.p

df#view=fit&pagemode=none. For further information, contact Susanne Madders: Susanne.

Madders at ec.europa.eu, DG RTD, Directorate D.

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7. WIRE 2014 International Conference - Rebooting Regional Policy for Innovation and Growth

The "Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2014" will take place this year in Athens from

12th to 13th June 2014 under the auspices of the Greek EU Presidency. The Conference is

organized by the National Documentation Centre of Greece (EKT) and the European

Commission, in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Research & Technology. The

conference will take place in Aegli Zappeiou in the presence of the Commissioner of the

European Commission for Research, Innovation and Science, MireGeoghegan-Quinn.

Since 2010, WIRE has been established as the most significant European forum dedicated

to regional strategies, innovation and development. The launch of "Horizon 2020" program

for Research and Innovation, and the new regulation for the European Structural and

Investment Funds (ESIF) announced within the first semester of 2014, provide an excellent

timing for this year WIRE. At this critical point, the Conference will build on the public

dialogue for the discovery of effective procedures, instruments and best practices leading to

the successful implementation of Smart Specialization Strategies for European Regions.

8. 13th edition of the FEMIP Conferences

Organized in Brussels, Belgium, the 10th December, 2013 in the Thon Hotel EU, by the

EIB, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean and the

Observatoire Méditerraneen de l'Energie, the thirteenth edition of the FEMIP Conferences

brought together 250 participants from Europe and the Mediterranean countries to discuss

actively how energy efficiency can improve a country's overall competitive position and

create employment opportunities. It takes place back to back with the Union for the

Mediterranean Ministerial meeting on energy the following day.

Energy demand in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region is being driven by both

economic growth and population increases. At current rates, it could increase by 40% in the

next two decades. For Mediterranean Partner Countries, this is a costly and unsustainable

prospect. Through strong energy efficiency measures and increased efforts to use

renewable energy sources, this burden can be diminished, for instance by reducing import

dependence and environmental costs. This is consistent with the objectives of the

Mediterranean Solar Plan, a priority initiative of the Union for the Mediterranean. Read

more: http://www.eib.org/infocentre/events/all/13th-femip-conference-brussels.htm.

9. Gaza in 2020 - A livable place?

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), at its

annual retreat in November 2011, discussed critical development and humanitarian

challenges facing Palestinians in the oPt. As part of its programme of work, the UN initiated

a study to see what the Gaza Strip might look like by the year 2020 as a place in which to

live. Building on what is known now, the resulting study seeks to highlight the formidable

developmental, humanitarian and social imperatives which need to be addressed and

resolved, irrespective of the political context.

The document which follows thus provides an overview of current challenges and trends in

Gaza, and through the lens of the UN family working in the oPt presents an extrapolation

eight years forward to 2020. It is based on a wealth of existing literature both from within the

UN and outside. The reader who seeks more in-depth information and analysis is

encouraged to explore the literature under References at Annex Two.

Read more: http://www.medspring.eu/sites/default/files/UN_Report_Gaza_2020.pdf.

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10. 8th SCARCE project E-Newsletter available

The 8th SCARCE project E-Newsletter with the latest news of the project is ready:

http://www.scarceconsolider.es/publica/P000Main.php. The last newsletter is planned for

December 2014.

11. Call for candidatures Hassan II Prize

The Government of Morocco and the World Water Council are launching the call for

candidatures for the 5th edition of the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize, which

rewards excellence or innovation in Cooperation and sound management in the

development and use of water resources. The winner will be granted an award of

US$100,000.

The Prize is presented every three years in conjunction with the World Water Forum. It will

be awarded for the fifth time at the 7th World Water Forum that will take place in Daegu &

Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea, from 12th to 17th April 2015. The specific topic of the 2015

edition is Innovation for access to water, energy and sanitation in the face of global

changes.

Candidates must be nominated by at least two individuals and/or organizations with

thorough knowledge of the qualities and accomplishments of their candidate in line with the

Prize theme. Nominations forms - together with the required documents - are to be

submitted to the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize Secretariat by 30 September 2014

at the latest. Detailed information is available on the World Water Council website.

Read more: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/mails/newsletter.php?3&5550-

228&22&v2DZmo5olQ%2BVWpnVWQTZTw.

12. Final SCARCE International Conference

The final SCARCE International Conference "River Conservation under Water Scarcity:

Integration of water quantity and quality in Iberian Rivers under global change" will be held

from 20th to 21st October 2014 in Tarragona, Spain. All information and online inscription

can be found at the SCARCE web site: http://www.scarceconsolider.es.

SCARCE is a multipurpose project that aims to describe and predict the relevance of global

change impacts on water availability, water quality and ecosystem services in

Mediterranean river basins of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as their impacts on the human

society and economy. The project has assembled a multidisciplinary team of leading

scientists in the fields of hydrology, geomorphology, chemistry, ecology, eco-toxicology,

economy, engineering and modeling, in an unknown effort in the CONSOLIDER framework.

13. MAGHRENOV project workshop on Capacity Building in EU-MPC

The MAGHRENOV project has organized a workshop on Capacity Building in EU-MPC in

Barcelona (UPC university), from 19th to 20th June 2014. The objective of the workshop is

to provide a working basis among the partners of MAGHRENOV project and selected

actors in EU and MPC (Maghreb Partner Countries). Find the event agenda.

For your reactions, you can leave a message on their website http://www.maghrenov.eu,

and also you connect to our Facebook page: http://goo.gl/cqcA9c and Twitter:

https://twitter.com/maghrenov using the hashtag #maghrenov. Find also the streaming at:

http://maghrenov.eu/blog/view/1258/workshop-on-capacity-building-eu-mpc-broadcasted-

through-the-maghrenov-website.

14. MOBILISE project: Foresight exercise on cooperation between EU-Morocco on research and innovation

In the framework of MOBILISE project (Morocco and EU: Strengthening Bilateral Links in

Innovation and Science for Economy), the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research

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and Executive Training organized a visit of EU experts from 5 to May 9, 2014 in Rabat and

Casablanca.

This mission aimed to achieve a foresight exercise of cooperation between Morocco and

the European Union (EU) in the fields of scientific research and innovation. To do this, the

above experts met twenty Moroccan decision makers, university leaders, enterprises and

research centers representants operating.

Read more: http://www.uni-med.net/?option=com_content&task=view&id=819&lang=en.

15. Call for Participation, Papers, Presentations and Posters for e-AGE 2014

Under the Patronage of His Highness Sayyid Taimur Bin Asad Al Said, the Arab States

Research and Education Network - ASREN, is happy to announce its fourth annual event

”4th International Platform on Integrating Arab e-Infrastructure in a Global Environment - e-

AGE 2014" which will take place in 10-11 December 2014 at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat -

Oman. The platform will be hosted by The Research Council (TRC) of Oman.

In e-AGE 2014, the main theme will be Intercontinental Connectivity of the Pan Arab

Network. ASREN started concrete steps towards interconnecting researchers and

academics across the Arab States by launching its first PoP in London Telicity and working

with its partners on new PoPs in UAE, Egypt and the Maghreb region. ASREN is also

supporting the development of NRENs in some Arab countries. ASREN will give special

attention and more focus on users and how the e-Infrastructure can support their needs in

terms of services and applications. More sessions will be dedicated to the users to present

their research and education activities and then to identify how these users can be better

served by NRENs.

Read more: http://asrenorg.net/eage2014/.

16. Marie Curie Individual Fellowships at Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Following its long time tradition of successful international post-graduate and doctoral

training, FEEM supports Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship applications in its

research areas in the field of economics, energy and sustainable development.

MSCA European Fellowships could be held in Italy, one of the EU Member States, and are

open to researchers currently within and outside Europe. FEEM, as Italian host institution,

provides support to individual experienced researchers who meet the requirements of the

HORIZON 2020 Program. Research proposals entail a period of 12-24 months at FEEM

(either Milan or Venice offices) with reference to the Call Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual

Fellowships (IF) - European Fellowship. FEEM offers a truly international and multi-

disciplinary workplace. Thanks to a world-wide research network you will be involved in a

continuous fruitful exchange of experiences. Female researchers and candidates from

International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC) are particularly encouraged to apply.

The selected candidates will be supported in the development of the project proposals that

must be submitted to the European Commission by September 11th, 2014 - h. 17.00 CET.

More information on the Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships is available on the

EU-MSCA Web Site: http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about-

msca/actions/if/index_en.htm.

17. Four new regional projects labeled by the UfM

Four new regional projects are labeled by the UfM. The development of a wind farm in

Jordan, the creation of a Mediterranean water knowledge platform, a capacity building

program aimed at promoting civic education in schools and a program aimed at stimulating

green industries and entrepreneurship are the four new projects recently labeled by the

UfM.

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More info at http://ufmsecretariat.org/four-new-regional-projects-are-labelled-by-the-union-

for-the-mediterranean/.

18. Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change

A Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change

took place in Athens with the aim to discuss the environmental and climate-related

challenges facing the region and to define the future strategic directions to reduce pollution

and increase resource efficiency.

Ministers in charge of environment and climate change from the 43 countries comprising

the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) gathered on 13 May 2014 in Athens on the occasion

of the first UfM Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change. The Ministers

acknowledged the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on the

Mediterranean region and shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns

for a green and low emission economy. They highlighted the cross-sectoral nature of

environment and climate change challenges and the importance of fostering growth and job

creation while ensuring better quality of life and a sustainable future. As tangible outcomes

of the meeting, the Ministers agreed to launch the second phase of the Horizon 2020

Initiative for the depollution of the Mediterranean Sea, with the full involvement of the UfM

Secretariat.

Read more: http://ufmsecretariat.org/euro-mediterranean-cooperation-on-environment-and-

climate-change-ufm-holds-ministerial-meeting-in-athens/.

19. Roundtable on Neighborhood Policy and the Mediterranean Youth

Under the coordination of UNIMED and the French Embassy in Italy (Institut Français

Italia), a roundtable on the "Neighborhood Policy and the Mediterranean Youth. The key

role of Training and Mobility" will be organized from 30th September to 1st October 2014 in

Rome. Further information about this event will be published soon.

20. Research Meets Diplomacy - Europe as a Global Actor

The European Commission organizes in Brussels next 5th June 2014 the Conference

"Research Meets Diplomacy: Europe as a Global Actor", which aims at taking stock of the

rich research conducted on the European Union as a global actor under FP7 and at moving

the debate into the future. It continues a long-standing tradition of fruitful exchanges

between researchers from the EU financed collaborative SSH projects and EU policy-

makers.

Read more: http://www.medspring.eu/sites/default/files/Research_meets_diplomacy-

Programme.pdf.

21. 5th INCO Conference - Addressing Future Challenges

INCONTACT 2020, is organizing the 5th INCO Conference - Addressing Future

Challenges, from 2nd to 4th June 2014 in Athens, Greece. The Conference is organized

under the auspices of DG Research of the European Commission and the Greek General

Secretariat for Research and Technology. This year's event is dedicated to the role of

integrated research in addressing global challenges.

The annual INCO Conference series targets primarily European and Third Country

International Cooperation (INCO) Experts and FP7/Horizon 2020 national Contact Points

(NCPs), providing an excellent forum for a plethora of activities including the dissemination

of information by INCO EC staff, training activities for NCPs and International Partner

Countries Contact Points, presentations on specific international cooperation projects and

presentations on the research landscape in specific countries. Discussions will address

critical issues such as the future of research in relation to the global challenges lying ahead

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in order to acquire insight for future coordinated actions. Invited speakers from worldwide

organizations funding research will share their experiences, best practices and obstacles.

The conference will also host the annual meeting of the national INCO experts as well as a

special training session on international research collaboration under Horizon 2020. You

can find more about International Cooperation by visiting the INCO Wiki at: http://www.ncp-

incontact.eu/.

22. Stakes and perspectives of trans-Mediterranean scientific research

The French National Research Agency (ANR) and Agropolis international within the

framework of TRANSMED program organized a seminar called ”Stakes and perspectives of

trans-Mediterranean scientific research" from 19th to 20th September 2013 at Agropolis

International, Montpellier. More information at http://www.agropolis.fr/actualites/2013-

journees-transmed.php.

23. New Horizons / New Challenges: evaluation of STI policies, instruments and organizations

On 14th and 15th November 2013 the international evaluation conference "New Horizons/

New Challenges: evaluation of STI policies, instruments and organizations was organized

in Vienna, Austria. It provided an open forum for evaluators, scientists, research managers,

authorities and STI policy makers to debate challenging developments in STI policy and

their effects on evaluation theory and practice.

Eminent experts already agreed to engage at the conferences sessions and dedicated

panels, such as Irwin Feller (em. Penn State Univ.), Stefan Kuhlmann (Univ. Twente),

Gretchen Jordan (Innovation LLC), Christina Schuh (Humboldt Foundation), Gran Marklund

(Vinnova), Jordi Molas Gallart (CSIC - Spanish National Research Council), Sybille Hinze

(ifq-Institute for Research Information and Quality Assurance), Jakob Edler (Univ. of

Manchester), Philippe Laredo (LIFRIS) and many more! The next generation of STI policy

evaluation designs and approaches is challenged by different developments such as the

emergence of new demand-side oriented instruments, increasing complexity of appraisals,

the demand for impact assessments by taking also non-economic effects into account, an

amalgamation between national and European/international interventions in STI or the

emphasis on new mission-oriented approaches (grand challenges), just to name a few.

FWF, the Austrian Science Fund, provided a grant to this conference, which was used to

support the participation of young researchers. For further information refer to the websites:

http://wbc-inco.net/object/event/12093 and http://sticon2013.fteval.at.

24. EU-Africa High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on science, technology and innovation (STI)

Senior officials from the European and the African Union Commission and from Research

and Innovation Ministries in Europe and Africa discussed on future cooperation on STI

between the two continents in the "EU-Africa High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on

science, technology and innovation (STI)" meeting, in Brussels (Belgium) from 28th to 29th

November 2013, also in view of the EU-Africa Summit 2014. At this year's meeting a

special focus will be put on the role of STI in promoting food and nutrition security and

sustainable agriculture. The EU-Africa HLPD was a closed meeting.

For more information contact: nienke.buisman@ec.europa.eu.

25. HORIZON - the EU Research & Innovation Magazine

HORIZON - the EU Research & Innovation Magazine: http://horizon-magazine.eu/ is written

by independent journalists on behalf of the European Commission's Directorate- General

for Research and Innovation. It aims to communicate the priorities and achievements of

EU-funded research, its impact on citizens' lives and its contribution to the EU goals of

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smart and sustainable growth. The e-magazine offers a space for guest writers to express

their views on EU research and innovation.

Published in English and accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, HORIZON is also

present on social media platforms. For story suggestions or questions to the editor e-mail:

RTD-PUBLICATIONS at ec.europa.eu.

26. MAGHRENOV Project Kick Off Meeting

MAGHRENOV Project, aiming at support innovation in the Renewable Energy and Energy

Efficiency sector in the Mediterranean basin, celebrated its Kick Off Meeting last 16th and

17th December 2013 in Barcelona. MED-SPRING was invited to participate in this project.

To know more about the project, visit MAGHRENOV website: http://www.maghrenov.eu/.

27. Strengthening economic cooperation: First Economic Forum of the Western Mediterranean - Dialogue 5+5

The First Economic Forum of the Western Mediterranean (Dialogue 5+5), which took place

last 23rd October 2013 at the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean, brought

together more than 300 participants from the ten countries of the 5+5 Dialogue. Gathering

business leaders and high-level representatives from major enterprises and employers

associations from the Western Mediterranean, the event aimed at strengthening the

economic cooperation between Western European countries and the Maghreb region.

Conceived as a platform for debate and identification of concrete areas of cooperation, the

Forum sessions focused on the role of the Western Mediterranean in a global economy; the

economic cooperation between Europe, Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa; public services

and sustainable urban development; Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as vectors of

business development and economic growth; project funding for development; and

Mediterranean arbitration.

Acknowledging the commitment of the Member States to boost their cooperation in search

of a result-based cooperation, regional cooperation projects identified within the framework

of the 5+5 Dialogue are being implemented through the operational capacities of the

Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). Portugal and Mauritania, as co-

presidencies of the 5+5 Dialogue, Spain as host country, the Secretariat of the Union for

the Mediterranean, the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and Casa

Mediterrneo co-organized the event.

The 5+5 Dialogue, was officially launched in Rome in 1990 as an informal sub-regional

forum whose main aim was to foster relations and cooperation between European countries

and the newly born Arab Maghreb Union. Since then, further high-level conferences have

taken place involving sectoral issues such as Migration, Defense, Transport, Tourism,

Education, or Environmental Issues and Renewable Energy, among others.

Following the last Summit of the Western Mediterranean Forum, held in Malta on 5-6

October 2012, the Heads of State and Government of the 10 countries mandated the

Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean to organize the first Economic Forum of the

Western Mediterranean in Barcelona in 2013. The 5+5 Dialogue comprises the following

countries: Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and

Tunisia.

To know more, click here: http://ufmsecretariat.org/strengthening-economic-cooperation-

first-economic-forum-of-the-western-mediterranean-dialogue-55-takes-place-in-barcelona-

at-the-headquarters-of-the-union-for-the-mediterranean/.

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28. FETRIC: The new BILAT in Tunisia

Coordinated by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia,

FETRIC aims to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Tunisia, by

enhancing synergies between S&T EU and Tunisian actors, projects, and programs.

FETRIC will tackle the Horizon 2020 societal challenges through a challenge-based

approach in order to examine and answer societal problems in both Tunisia and the EU,

especially in the fields of scarcity of resources, energy with a focus on renewable energy

and energy saving, and high quality affordable food.

Read more: http://www.fetric.eu/.

29. Greek EU Presidency - Main priorities in Research and Innovation

Greece took on the EU Presidency on 1 January 2014 for the next six months. For research

and innovation, the main priorities of the Presidency are to ensure the smooth start and

implementation of Horizon 2020 and the rapid completion of the legislative procedure for

the Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) and Article 185 initiatives - also referred to as the

Innovation Investment Package. The Presidency is therefore urging the European

Parliament to ensure that the process can be completed before the next European elections

in May 2014.

The Greek Presidency will also oversee the completion of international Science and

Technology agreements for Horizon 2020 and pose a particular focus on Space, mainly on

the Copernicus and space surveillance programs. The Presidency will also focus on the

progress of the European Research Area, which will be discussed at the Competitiveness

Council meeting in May 2014.

The website of the Greek EU Presidency can be accessed at: http://gr2014.eu/.

30. WBC-INCO.NET Final Conference and Brokerage Event

WBC-INCO.NET is organizing a large final event entitled "Towards 2020: New Horizons for

RTD and Innovation in the Western Balkan Region - WBC-INCO.NET Final Conference and

Brokerage Event" from 27th to 28th March 2014, at the Tech Gate in Vienna.

This event will provide an environment to build new partnerships and link todays' research

and innovation with visions for the future. It will moreover aim to the dissemination of high

quality and targeted information on research achievements in and from the Western Balkan

countries.

The conference will bring together about 200 science policymakers, scientists and industry

representatives from the Western Balkan and EU member states. While the core focus of

the conference will be primarily on Horizon 2020 and thus the collaboration in science

between WBC and EU member states under the new Programme, information on other on-

going/up-coming activities in WBC in particular focusing innovation issues will be

exchanged.

Read more: http://wbc-inco.net/object/news/13679.

31. Fifth HPC Production Access, LinkSCEEM - Cy-Tera Joint Call

LinkSCEEM aims at the establishment of a high performance computing (HPC) ecosystem

in the Eastern Mediterranean region by integrating and coordinating regional computational

resources. The Cy-Tera facility is the first multi-Top/s HPC facility in Cyprus, serving the

needs of the regional scientific community by supporting applications in many fields of great

scientific and/or societal importance. LinkSCEEM and Cy-Tera invite scientists from the

Eastern Mediterranean region to their fifth joint call for production access to HPC resources.

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This call invites applications for computing resources in order to carry out projects which

have high scientific quality and impact. Allocation will be for 1 year starting from 1st May

2014. This call runs in parallel to the rolling call for Preparatory Access.

Read more: http://www.linksceem.eu.

32. 4th Dii Desert Energy Conference 2013

The Dii company has organized the 4th Dii Desert Energy Conference 2013 in Rabat,

Morocco, from the 30th to the 31st October 2013. Scientific, political, industry and civil

society representatives from the whole Mediterranean region attended the Conference. Diis

mission is to pave the way for a market for solar and wind power from the deserts for local

consumption in North Africa and the Middle East (MENA) and, eventually, for export to

Europe. The aim is to reach an energy mix of highest security of delivery, mainly based on

lowest cost renewable electricity throughout the interconnected markets in Europe, the

Middle East and North Africa (EUMENA).

Dii acts as a market and project enabler that builds partnerships throughout this region. As

an expert, facilitator and catalyst, the industrial initiative gives guidance on the integration of

desert power into the common market e.g. by highlighting the required political, regulatory,

financial, (socio-)economic and technological conditions. Dii is not an investor itself, nor will

it develop projects itself. Rather it helps the market to recognize and develop feasible

projects.

Read more: http://www.dii-eumena.com/home.html.

33. ENPI has published a list of Regional Projects

The ENPI has published a really global list of Regional Projects, all of them related to the

Mediterranean region. The list enumerates all the EU-MPC cooperation programmes

(except FP7). Read more: http://www.enpi-info.eu/list_projects_med.php?.

2. Knowledge news on energy

1. BETTER 4th Policy Brief - Future Prospects for RES Cooperation Mechanisms in North Africa

"Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies"

(BETTER) project has the pleasure to inform you that the 4th Issue of the BETTER Policy

Brief has been released and is available here.

The 4th BETTER Policy Brief entitled “Future Prospects for RES Cooperation Mechanisms

in North Africa” summarizes the current energy status of the North Africa region with

regards to the RES targets, as well as the grid network infrastructure of the region.

The aim of the current Policy Brief is to identify barriers and opportunities for a successful

implementation of cooperation mechanisms in the field of electricity generation from

Renewable Energy Sources, issues that are of great interest to decision makers,

stakeholders and interested RES investors.

Read more: http://better-project.net.

2. EUROSUNMED International School on Photovoltaics, Concentrated Solar Power, Storage, Grid Integration and the Economics of Renewable Energy

We are happy to inform you that we are now accepting applications for the EUROSUNMED

International School on Photovoltaics, Concentrated Solar Power, Storage, Grid Integration

and the Economics of Renewable Energy from 28 to 31 March 2015 in Sharm el-Sheikh,

Egypt.

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Online applications are open until 31 January 2015 (23:59 CET) at:

http://www.eurosunmed.eu/forms/eurosunmed-2nd-international-school-application-form.

The School will consist of four days of lectures capturing the latest developments in the

area of renewable electricity generation, and a poster exhibition. The program is suitable for

Master, PhD and PostDoc-level students as well as researchers/professors, engineers and

staff of private companies working with Renewable Energy. All presentations will be given

in English. The event is open to all, but with special attention to participants from the

MENA-region.

Preliminary agenda and confirmed speakers are available at:

http://www.eurosunmed.eu/news/eurosunmed-2nd-international-school-28-31-march-2015.

3. Vienna Energy Forum 2015

The Vienna Energy Forum 2015 (VEF 2015) will take place in Hofburg Palace in Vienna,

Austria from 18 to 20 June 2015, and only a few months before the Sustainable

Development Goals Summit in New York and the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties

(COP21) in Paris. By emphasizing the multiple benefits of the Post-2015 Development and

the Climate Agenda and by showcasing best practices and actions on the ground, the VEF

2015 aims at contributing to both. Building on the findings from the VEFs held in 2009, 2011

and 2013, as well as the overarching goals of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), the

VEF 2015 will provide a high-level platform for thought leaders, policy makers and energy

practitioners to engage in a multi-stakeholder dialogue on pivotal sustainable energy

issues connected to inclusive development, including partnerships, finance, policy,

technology, capacity building and knowledge management.

Read more: http://www.unido.org/en/news-centre/events/vienna-energy-forum-2015.html.

4. Report on how to achieve 100% renewable energy by the World Future Council

The World Future Council has published a report on How to achieve 100% renewable

energy. A transition is underway around the world: Away from an energy system powered

by increasingly expensive and unsustainable fossil fuel resources toward one powered fully

by abundant, local, and affordable renewable energy sources. In the years ahead, this

transition is poised to improve the quality of life for millions, reduce harmful greenhouse gas

emissions, and help forge a world that is more just toward both current and future

generations.

This report provides an overview of some of the early pioneers leading the way toward such

a future. The rising economic, health-related, and environmental costs of burning fossil

fuels, combined with the accelerating impacts of climate change are introducing a new

urgency into global efforts to rapidly diversify away from fossil fuels. As the most recent

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports highlight, in order to ensure

planetary habitability for today's and future generations, we urgently need to build societies

powered by safe, affordable, and sustainable energy.

More than 2/3 of global GHG emissions originate from the burning of fossil resources such

as oil, gas and coal. In order to remain below a 2 degrees Celsius increase compared to

pre-industrial temperatures, it will be necessary to move to a fully de-carbonized energy

sector by 2050. The close interconnection between our current energy system and the

emerging climate crisis demonstrates that energy is not only the key problem we need to

solve; it is also the solution.

Read more:

http://worldfuturecouncil.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Climate_and_Energy/Cities/Policy_Han

dbook_Online_Version.pdf.

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5. Climate Policy Observer, the new website on climate and energy policies

The International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) announces the birth of its Climate

Policy Observer website, a new tool for understanding and investigating current

international events on climate change in their political, economic and social implications.

The new Climate Policy Observer website replaces the previous web platform, launched in

2012, and gathers ICCG studies on the evolution of climate policy, providing country by

country news updates, summaries on climate and energy policies, and access to data,

publications and official documents. The new structure, with its fresh graphic design,

enables rapid consultation of all the content available on individual Countries or specific

topics ranging from international climate negotiations to the deployment of emissions

trading, the development of renewable energy and low carbon emissions.

Read more: http://www.climateobserver.org.

6. Best Climate Practices for Energy Poverty Alleviation

In the effort to harness the collective brilliance and promote a wide range of valuable

proposals, every year the Best Climate Practices observatory invites the users to submit

innovative best practices to tackle climate change or to face a related challenge.

The competition is sponsored by ICCG's Best Climate Practices Observatory and is open to

best practices related to the issues of energy poverty as actions liable to mitigate or aid in

adapting to climate change.

The winners will be invited to accept their awards at the fourth edition of the Think Forward

Film Festival (Venice, December 12-13, 2014), the ICCG film festival on climate change

and renewable energy. The winners of each practice will also benefit from the opportunity to

make contact with a broad network of institutions and potential investors, and will see their

practice publicized through the communication channels of the International Center for

Climate Governance.

Read more: http://www.bestclimatepractices.org/contest/.

7. Fifth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development

The Fifth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development will be held in

Hammamet, Tunisia, from the 4th to the 6th November 2014. The Forum is organized by

the Government of Tunisia, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-

ECE), the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Economic and

Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Economic Commission for Latin

America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The

Forum will emphasize attaining the three objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All

(SE4All) Initiative of the UN Secretary-General through a regional agenda: ensuring

universal access to modern energy services, doubling the global rate of improvement in

energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by

2030.

One of the key events will be a High-Level Dialogue on International Cooperation towards

Sustainable Energy for All with participation of the Executive Secretaries of UN Regional

Commissions (RCs) and ministers responsible for implementing sustainable energy

policies. The High-Level Dialogue is expected to adopt a declaration that will reaffirm the

roles of key stakeholders in promoting sustainable energy policies and call for joint efforts to

achieve SE4All objectives.

Participation in the Forum is open to the Government officials, project developers and

owners, representatives of international organizations, private sector, financial institutions,

NGOs, academia and other experts involved in sustainable energy issues. Website of the

Forum is: http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=35706.

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8. Call for Papers - Renewable Energy Cooperation

RES Cooperation within the EU, as well as with EU neighboring countries is high on

Europe's political agenda. In January 2011, the European Commission (EC) called for more

cooperation to meet the 2020 RES targets and the recently published EU 2050 roadmap

opened up discussion on how to fully de-carbonize Europe's Energy system in the long

term, keeping in mind that current capacity and infrastructure will be of critical importance

for the long term pathways.

An important role for cost effectively meeting the RES 2020 target but also for the design of

Europe's Energy system beyond 2020 may involve cooperation within the EU and with the

EUs neighbor regions incentivized by RES cooperation mechanisms as provided in the new

RES directive that entered into force in June 2009. Directive 2009/28/EC provides four

cooperation mechanisms available to EU Member States to realize part of their national EU

target abroad.

Thus, the core objective of this Special Issue is to collect high-quality papers that assess,

through case studies and integrated analysis, to what extent RES cooperation (between

Member States and between Member States and neighboring countries) can help Europe

achieve its RES targets in 2020 and beyond, trigger the deployment of RES projects in

these countries, and create synergies and win-win circumstances for all involved parties.

Read more:

http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/call_for_papers.htm?id=5660.

9. Oil, Gas and Energy Law Intelligence report

Energy Community is the primary instrument in EU external energy policy. The large

number of contributions to this special report on the Energy Community edited by Dr Dirk

Buschle (Deputy Director and Head of Legal of the Energy Community Secretariat) illustrate

the diversity and complexity of the topic. Instead of providing a coherent account of where

the Energy Community stands today, this special report provides numerous tie-ins for the

future debate. It provides for an inspiring reading on the current issues and future options

for the Energy Community. We are comfortable that this special issue will provide the basis

for many fruitful discussions. OGEL would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Buschle

and his colleagues at the Energy Community for their time and effort during the preparation

of this special report.

Read more: http://www.ogel.org/.

10. Cyber Security and Critical Energy Infrastructure report

Both the number and security implications of sophisticated cyber attacks on companies

providing critical energy infrastructures are increasing. As power networks and, to a certain

extent, oil and gas infrastructure both upstream and downstream, are becoming

increasingly integrated with information communication technology systems, they are

growing more susceptible to cyber attacks.

Read more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619014000268#.

11. Micro-grids for Rural Electrification - A critical review of best practices based on seven case studies

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and University of California Berkeley,

together with the United Nations Foundations Energy Access Practitioner Network, have

released a groundbreaking new study evaluating the contribution of micro-grids to

electrification in a range of developing countries. Micro-grids for Rural Electrification: A

critical review of best practices based on seven case studies evaluates a range of micro-

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grid applications in rural communities, drawing from the experience of several countries in

Asia and the Caribbean.

The researchers based the study on extensive field visits to micro-grid developer sites and

offices in India, Malaysian Borneo and Haiti. These formed the basis for a range of case

studies where the challenges and successes of each developer were assessed. The roles

of subsidies, tariff design, maintenance, and other factors that constitute micro-grid

operations are examined in the context of existing best practices and re-examined in light of

the findings of the seven case studies. Within the report, the factors driving the

sustainability of micro-grid operations are framed in a theoretical context, presented as

"virtuous" and "vicious" cycles. Distinctions are made between various types of developers

that all have different metrics for what they consider to be a "sustainable" micro-grid.

Read more: http://energyaccess.org/images/content/files/MicrogridsReportFINAL_low.pdf.

3. Knowledge news on water

1. Third Arab Water Week 2015: Innovations & Sustainable Solutions for the Water Sector in the Arab Region

The Third Arab Water Week 2015: Innovations & Sustainable Solutions for the Water

Sector in the Arab Region is being organized from 11th to 15th January 2015 under the

Patronage of the Minister of Water & Irrigation H.E. Dr. Hazem El Naser in King Hussein

Bin Talal Convention Center (KHBTCC) by Hilton, Dead Sea.

Water is increasingly becoming a binding constraint on Arab development. According to the

Arab Development Challenges Report 2011 by UNDP; available renewable fresh water

resources per capita in the Arab world are among the lowest worldwide. Threatening levels

of water stress exist in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Yemen, while significant

stress exists in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. And since it is not yet possible to measure water

quality globally, dimensions of safety, reliability and sustainability are not reflected in the

proxy indicator used to track progress towards the MDG target. As a result, MDG 2012

report states that the number of people using improved water sources is an overestimate of

the actual number of people using safe water supplies. Continued efforts are required to

promote global monitoring of drinking water safety, reliability and sustainability and to move

beyond the MDG water target to universal coverage.

Under the umbrella of the League of Arab States (LAS) and in partnership with the Arab

Ministerial Water Council (AMWC) and the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation

(MWI), the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) is organizing the Third

Arab Water Week. The Arab Water Week (AWW) is a distinguished regional meeting in the

Arab region which tackles water management issues through establishing innovative

partnerships and platforms of collaborative work on water issue in the region. The

importance of this meeting lies in providing a platform for greater coordination among the

existing network of key partners active in the water sector in the region.

Read more: http://arabwaterweek.com/.

2. Capacity Development to Support National Drought Management Policies

Regional Workshop for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) countries under the UN-

Water Initiative on "Capacity Development to Support National Drought Management

Policies" to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 17th to 20th November 2014.

It has been estimated that droughts are the worlds costliest natural disasters and affect

more people than any other form of natural disaster. Droughts are considered to be the

most far-reaching of all natural disasters, causing short and long-term economic and

ecological losses as well as significant secondary and tertiary impacts.

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To reduce societal vulnerability to droughts, a paradigm shift of drought management

approaches is required to overcome the prevailing structures of reactive, post-hazard

management and move towards proactive, risk based approaches of disaster management.

Risk based drought management is, however, multifaceted and requires the involvement of

a variety of stakeholders, and, from a drought management policy perspective, capacities in

diverse ministries and national institutions are needed.

Read more: http://www.ais.unwater.org/ais/course/view.php?id=37.

3. WssTP H2020 Brokerage & WGs Event

WssTP is pleased to announce its annual Brokerage and WssTP Working Groups event

that will take place on 26-27 November 2014 in Brussels. The main objective of the

Brokerage event is to facilitate networking between our members for collaborative projects,

as well as to foster the creation of consortia for the upcoming Horizon 2020 calls and other

EU funding opportunities.

The brokerage part of the program will be organized jointly with our partner ERRIN

(European Regional Research and Innovation Network), underlining the strategic

importance that WssTP gives to the role of regional actors and SMEs in European research

and innovation related to water. In the program, we will also make the link with our partner

European Technology Platforms that represent industrial sectors for which water is a key

concern. The second day will be dedicated to the WssTP WGs which will present their

current activities.

Read more: http://wsstp.eu/events/wsstp-h2020-brokerage-wgs-event/.

4. Final conference of IWRM-net Scientific Coordination Project

The final conference of IWRM-net SCP will be held in Brussels on the 21st and 22nd of

October 2014. The conference will bring all the research teams together to showcase their

results to improve integrated water resources management in Europe. Moreover, this event

will allow opportunity for exchange between scientists, policy-makers and water managers,

and to discuss about the 2 following themes: Water and aquatic environment management:

innovative solutions for adaptation to climate change and Socio-economic aspects of water

and aquatic environment management.

These two issues will be tackled during two sessions animated by external experts and the

Scientific Coordination Project (SCP) led by the International Office for Water, as you will

read in the last version of the attached agenda.

This event is held in cooperation with the Water Joint Programming Initiative, which will

launch its _rst Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda in Brussels in the morning of

October 21st, and also at the occasion of the IWRM-net SCP final conference (end of the

second day). We were informed that if you want to assist to the Water JPI meeting (on 21st

morning) - see their agenda attached - , some seats are still available. If you want to assist,

fill in the registration form and send it to Water JPI secretariat (before Friday, the 10th of

October).

Register here: http://iwrmnetscpfinalconference.oieau.fr/ before Monday, 13th of October.

5. 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum

The Mediterranean water community has initiated an efficient synergy in view to consolidate

the cooperation and exchange of knowhow and experience in the field of water by

organizing the 1st Mediterranean Water Forum in Marrakesh (Morocco) in December 2011.

This 1st Mediterranean Water Forum coordinated by the Mediterranean Water Institute

(IME) with the support of the State Secretariat in charge of Water and Environment in

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Morocco, could mobilize the Mediterranean water community for the participation at the 6th

World Water Forum (Marseille, March 2012).

Within this framework, the Region of Murcia in Spain (member of the Committee of the

Regions - ARLEM) suggested to host the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum (25-27

November 2014). In coherence with all initiatives and programs currently running and to be

implemented in the Mediterranean region, the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum is willing to

be a new step for the dialogue between all the stakeholders concerned by water and

environmental issues.

The 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum will have to take the current geopolitical situation in

the Mediterranean region into consideration to become an important step for exchange and

consolidation of knowhow and experiences in the field of water in the Mediterranean. From

the lessons learnt and recommendations of the 1st Mediterranean Water Forum, this

second regional event will be articulated around the preparatory process for the 7th World

Water Forum to be taking place from 12 to 17 April 2015 in Daegu, South Korea.

Read more: http://www.promosciences.com/ime2014/intro_en.html.

6. Green Infrastructure Guide for Water Management: Ecosystem-based management approaches for water-related infrastructure projects

The aim of this Guide is to raise awareness of the benefits of Green Infrastructure (GI)

solutions for water resources management. It takes a pragmatic approach to water

management, and shows that GI can provide significant water management benefits and

co-benefits, and also can support benefits from existing grey water infrastructure through a

mutually complimentary mix of green and grey solutions. In addition to providing an

overview of GI solutions for water management, this guide includes an outline methodology

for water management options assessment, as well as a risk and uncertainty analysis. The

guide concludes with a brief overview of practical tools to support the evaluation of

appropriate solutions.

The Green Infrastructure Guide was launched at World Water Week in Stockholm, and is a

product of collective effort by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UNEP-DHI

Partnership - Centre on Water and Environment, International Union for Conservation of

Nature (IUCN), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Read more:

http://www.unepdhi.org/-/media/microsite_unepdhi/publications/documents/unep/web-unep-

dhigroup-green-infrastructure-guide-en-20140814.pdf.

7. Successful completion of UfM project in Jordan and Tunisia

The first phase of the UfM-labeled project "Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean

Water Sector" has been completed following successful policy dialogues in Jordan and

Tunisia. The project aims to improve the public governance and attract investments to the

water sector of the Mediterranean region. The promoters GWP-Med and OECD organized

workshops to launch national reports in Amman and Tunis, respectively. Stakeholders from

the water and wastewater sector - authorities, utilities, donors, civil society, private sector,

etc. - convened to discuss the reports _ndings and recommendations based on the

analytical work and series of consultation meetings held during the preceding ten months.

Read more: http://ufmsecretariat.org/water-governance-financing-in-the-mediterranean-

region-successful-completion-of-ufm-project-in-jordan-and-tunisia/.

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8. Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector - 1st Regional Conference

The 1st Regional Conference of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) labeled project

Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector will be held on 28-30 October

2014, in Athens, Greece, in close collaboration with the European Union funded

Sustainable Water Integrated Management (SWIM) - Support Mechanism program.

The Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector project (mid 2013 mid

2016) - officially labeled under the UfM in July 2012 was launched on 28-29 May 2013 at

the UfM headquarters, in Barcelona, Spain. It is implemented jointly by the Global Water

Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation

and Development (OECD) with the support of the Swedish International Development

Cooperation Agency (Sida) for the regional component, and the support of the European

Investment Bank (EIB) and the GEF Med Partnership program for targeted and time-bound

parts of the national component. The project is carried out in synergy with the

Mediterranean Component of the European Union Water Initiative (MED EUWI) that

together with the Med Partnership set the ground for this project with work completed in

previous years. Find attached the project brief for your kind consideration.

Sustainable Water Integrated Management - Support Mechanism (SWIM-SM) (2010-2014)

is a Regional Technical Assistance Program of the European Commission that aims to

contribute to the extensive dissemination and effective implementation of sustainable water

management policies and practices in the Southern Mediterranean Region.

Further information on the program is available here: http://www.swim-sm.eu/.

The 1st Regional Conference aims to engage targeted stakeholders in a constructive policy

dialogue on the governance-financing nexus within the Mediterranean water sector and to

promote the exchange of experiences and best practices. The Conference will take stock of

the outcomes from the Water Policy Dialogues conducted in Jordan and Tunisia during the

first year of the UfM projects implementation (2013-2014) and will discuss the way forward

for the second year. Moreover, the Conference will benefit from completed and ongoing

work on the theme conducted by SWIM-SM, especially in view of the programs completion

(Dec 2014) and the potential next phase of work.

9. EIP Water Conference 2014

The European Innovation Partnership on Water - EIP Water in short - has taken a central

role on the European water innovation landscape, providing a platform for all actors in the

field of water and innovation. After the success of the first EIP Water conference in

November 2013 in Brussels, this year the EIP Water is organizing its annual conference in

Barcelona, European Innovation Capital 2014.

Read more: http://www.eip-water.eu/eip-water-2014-annual-conference.

10. Kick-off meeting of the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum

When holding the 1st Mediterranean Water Forum from 19th to 20th December 2011 in

Marrakesh (Morocco), the main stakeholders from the Mediterranean water and

environmental community had launched a call to organize the 2nd Mediterranean Water

Forum. During the Mediterranean Session held in Marseille at the 6th World Water Forum

in March 2012, the President of the Region of Murcia, Mr. Luis Ramon Varcarcel,

suggested to host and organize this second event in Murcia (Spain) that will take place

towards next November 2014. For this reason, the Institut Méditerraneen de l'Eau (IME)

and the Foundation Euro-Mediterranean Water Institute (F-IEA) organized the Kick-off

meeting of the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum, with the support of the Kingdom of

Morocco, under the aegis of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, on

June 18th, 2014 in Rabat, Morocco, with the presence of the Moroccan Minister of water:

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Mrs. Charafat AFAILAL. EMWIS has participated in this event through Mr. Eric MINO,

EMWIS Technical Unit Coordinator.

On this occasion, the Mediterranean preparatory process of the 7th World Water Forum

was launched by organizing its first meeting of the Steering Committee this day.

Read more: http://www.emwis.org/thematicdirs/news/2014/06/emwis-kick-meeting-2nd-

mediterranean-water-forum.

11. Climate Change - Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture

A new briefing distils the key findings from the recently released Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), revealing the growing threat of

climate change to fisheries and aquaculture. Climate change and acidification are altering

ocean ecosystems in profound ways, with consequent impacts on fisheries and

aquaculture. Projected impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture are negative

on a global scale. Major impacts include displacement of stocks and, for aquaculture,

mortality of shellfish from acidic water. Impacts of climate change and ocean acidification

are generally exacerbated by other factors such as overfishing, habitat loss and pollution.

This is contributing to an increase in the number of dead zones in the ocean, as well as to

an increase in harmful algal blooms. Coral reef ecosystems are declining rapidly, with the

risk of potential collapse of some coastal fisheries. Incidences of coral bleaching are likely

to increase. Aquaculture may be affected through reduced catches of feed-_fish and

increasing severity of tropical storms and flooding.

Read more: http://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/Resources/Climate-and-Energy/Understanding-the-

UN-Climate-Science-Reports.aspx.

12. Legal frameworks for cooperation on trans-boundary waters - Key aspects and opportunities for the Arab countries workshop

The Workshop will be from 11th to 12th June 2014 in Tunis, Tunisia and will discuss how

trans-boundary cooperation can be fostered in order to improve water resources

management between riparian countries, the sustainability of these shared resources and

to safeguard water rights. Specifically, the Workshop will aim to increase awareness and

understanding of the different legal frameworks for cooperation on shared waters

resources.

It will provide a platform to discuss the opportunity that the globalization of the Water

Convention represents for the Arab region. This Workshop is a follow-up to the International

Roundtable on Trans-boundary Water Resources Management in the Southern

Mediterranean and responds the request expressed in June 2013 by the Arab Ministerial

Water Council, which operates within the framework of the League of Arab States.

The Workshop is jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

(UNECE), the Center of Water Studies and Arab Water Security of the League of Arab

States and the Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean (GWP-Med), in collaboration with

the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and with

the support of France, Switzerland and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) International

Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN).

Read more: http://www.unece.org/env/water/workshop_arab_countries_2014.html.

13. IMPROWARE International Symposium - Call for Contributions

The SWIM-IMPROWARE International Symposium on Innovative Means to Protect Water

Resources entitled "The Challenge of reclaimed wastewater reuse for aquifer recharge in

the Mediterranean area" will take place in Tunis, from July 28 to August 3, 2014. The

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Symposium will offer a high-level platform to take part in cutting-edge discussions in the

field of Water Management, to share information and to network.

Read more: http://www.improware.eu/symposium-2014/.

14. IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition

The International Water Association (IWA) organizes the high-profile IWA World Water

Congress and Exhibition every two years. We are excited to announce that the 2014 IWA

World Water Congress and Exhibition will be held in Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon's lively

present and proud past combine in a melting pot of cultural diversity. Its friendliness and

relaxed atmosphere promise a unique experience for all visitors.

Read more: http://www.iwa2014lisbon.org/.

15. Water Innovation Europe 2014

WssTP is hosting the 2014 edition of Water Innovation Europe, dedicated to the theme

"Water: Green Tape or Blue Gold?". The conference will focus its attention on the economic

opportunities for the European water sector and on ensuring a strong representation of

water issues in the Horizon 2020 work program 2016-2017, along the lines of the Green

growth and economy. WssTP conference will be held on 25 and 26 of June 2014 at the

Diamant Centre in Brussels.

Read more: http://www.icontact-archive.com/PX0U1-

9kSYO_Vmbseb2UyrOkDmXEUVbL?w=4.

16. First Announcement for the 7th World Water Forum

The World Water Council is pleased to inform you that the 7th World Water Forum has

issued its First Announcement. The 7th World Water Forum took place in Daegu

Gyeongbuk in the Republic of Korea from 12th to 17th April 2015. The next milestone of the

preparatory process is the 2nd Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on 27th and 28th

February 2014 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Read more: http://worldwaterforum7.org.

4. Knowledge news on water and energy

1. New SBC Energy Institute Fact Book - Introduction to the Water and Energy Challenge

Energy & water are highly interconnected locally & globally. A new SBC Energy Institute

Fact Book "Introduction to the Water and Energy Challenge" finds that freshwater supply

will not meet forecast demand, requiring compromises, Water shortages are already

affecting energy supply, Location-specific solutions will be required. The Fact Book

provides a global picture of the main water resources, an overview of the current and

forecast mismatch between supply and demand, and its likely consequences if left

unaddressed, a summary of water risks and their multi-dimensional nature.

One of a series of Fact Books on the energy transition published by the SBC Energy

Institute, a non-profit group created by Schlumberger Business Consulting in 2011 to pro-

vide expert analysis on energy technologies, this new publication also describes the water

industry's principal value chains, market trends and promising solutions, compares water

consumption for different energy-production pathways and illustrates the impact water

constraints have already had, and continue to have, on the development of conventional

and unconventional resources.

Read more: http://www.sbc.slb.com/SBCInstitute/Publications/Water.aspx.

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2. UN Report on Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and sustainability

UN organized the "Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference" from 13th to 16th

January 2014. One of the focuses was the Partnerships improving Water and Energy

efficiency, security and sustainability. The Conference analyzed the commonalities and

differences of both sectors and the advantages and disadvantages of partnerships. It

looked into setting up, composition, financing, incentives, synergies, skills, cost

effectiveness and support for and from partnerships. As well as definition of responsibilities

and liabilities, benefit sharing, symmetries, long-term sustainability, negotiation and the

flexibility required. The Conference aimed to draw lessons on what the factors that make

successful partnerships are, in water and energy, the role of different actors and how to

scale up partnerships.

This report brings together outputs from the UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2014,

summarizing contributions from different UN agencies and programs, more than 120

experts, representatives of international companies in the water and energy sector,

governmental and non-governmental organizations. An introduction provides insight into the

inter-linkages between water and energy and the prospects for a sustainable future. The

report then examines the future of the water-energy nexus and partnership under 6 key

headings: The UN and the Water-Energy Nexus; Water and Energy Scenarios and

Challenges; The Water and Energy Nexus: Opportunities and Choices; Making the Case for

Partnerships; Building Partnerships-partnerships in practice; and Key Lessons on

Partnerships.

The report has been prepared by UN-Water Decade Program on Advocacy and

Communication (UNW-DPAC) with United Nations University (UNU) and United Nations

Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Read more:

http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_and_energy_2014/pdf/water_and_energy_2014

_final_report.pdf.

3. Report on Energy and Water - The Vital Link for a Sustainable Future

World Water Week 2014 is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

from August 31 to September 5, and takes place in Stockholm, Sweden. It has been the

annual focal point for the globes water issues since 1991. It is a platform for over 200

collaborating organizations to convene events about water and development issues.

Individuals from around the globe also present their findings at the scientific workshops.

This report has been prepared as input to the 2014 World Water Week and its special focus

on Energy and Water. Find the pdf at:

http://www.worldwaterweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_WWW_Report_web-

2.pdf.

4. Connecting Water and Energy

Water and energy are inseparable. To draw attention to the links between water and

energy, GWP has released a new video about the theme of World Water Day 2014.

Demand for water and energy is increasing because of population growth, economic growth

(rising incomes), and urbanization. Even though poverty is still widespread, many people in

the developing world are experiencing greater prosperity as countries make the transition

from a subsistence economy to an industrial or service one. This adds pressure on the

available resources.

One of the big challenges in dealing with water is that it is in high demand by so many

users. And even though the demand for energy is growing, the supply of fresh water

remains the same", explains GWP Chair Dr. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss in the video. An

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additional challenge involves the planning process on how to use and allocate resources. It

is not unusual for energy planners to make decisions independent of how they affect water

use. One example is the shift to low-carbon energy sources (bio-fuels) which brings greater

water consumption and food insecurity. From the other side, water managers may decide to

pump greater amounts of water for irrigation without considering the resulting demand on

energy and the infrastructure required to deliver it. This is why GWP recommends an

integrated approach.

5. Thematic Debate of the General Assembly "Water, Sanitation and Sustainable Energy In the Post-2015 Development Agenda"

Water, sanitation and sustainable energy are at the core of sustainable development and

the overarching goal of poverty eradication, and are closely linked to the achievement of

internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs).

Water and energy are also intimately linked in sustainable consumption and production

patterns, and this relationship aggravates resource scarcity and conservation. Achieving

universal access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and modern energy services is one

of the greatest multifaceted development challenges confronting the world today. The role

of women and girls is also important, as in many countries they bear the burden of the

provision of water and fuel for households and are susceptible to inter alia violence in the

absence of adequate water and sanitation services. The post 2015 development agenda

will have to respond to these challenges in a manner that allows both developed and

developing countries to forge endogenous pathways that build resilience, contribute to the

eradication of poverty and lead to sustainable development.

Find more information at:

http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/settingthestage/1wsse.shtml.

5. Knowledge news on food

1. Erasmus Mundus Master EDAMUS on Food Quality and Safety

Applications to the Erasmus Mundus Master EDAMUS on Food Quality and Safety are

open. The EDAMUS Master program aims at developing internationally trained experts in

the management of food quality and security. It is an International Master of Excellence,

certified "Erasmus Mundus" by the European Commission, which selects the best students

in the whole world.

The educational programs are offered by a Consortium of well-known international higher-

education-institutions. It offers multiple European degrees with the possibility of very

attractive scholarships for students coming from European and non-European countries.

The deadline for sending the applications is 30th January 2015.

Read more: http://www.master-edamus.eu/.

2. Healthy Ecosystems Key to Better Food Security

UN Agencies Unite to Strengthen Support for Sustainable Ecosystems and to Implement

New Sustainable Food Systems Program. Today the United Nations Environment Program

(UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a memorandum of

understanding (MoU) that is set to ensure better support for the functioning of critical

ecosystem services that underlie food security.

The FAO and UNEP bring different and complementary skill sets to the partnership that will

make the work on the restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems for

improved food security, more efficient and effective. The new MoU formalizes the

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cooperation between the two agencies, in the context of a post-2015 development agenda,

including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly with regard to food

security and ecosystems services.

Read more:

http://www.unep.org/newscentre/default.aspx?DocumentID=2796&ArticleID=11002&l=en.

3. Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Agriculture

In the framework of the Italian EU Presidency in the second semester of 2014, the Italian

Authorities have decided to hold a Euro-Mediterranean Conference on agriculture in

Palermo (Sicily) on November 28th, 2014. This Conference ideally follows the path of

dialogue set out with the First Euro-Mediterranean Conference on agriculture that took

place in Venice on November 27th, 2003.

The Union for the Mediterranean Members Countries and several representatives from

International and Regional Organizations have been invited to attend the Conference. The

discussion will focus on the role of young generations in developing agriculture and on the

importance of research, cooperation and exchange of experiences for a sustainable

agriculture. The Conference is intended to re-launch the debate on the need for a

Mediterranean agricultural policy and to back up collaboration and cooperation EU and its

member states initiatives with Balkan, North African and Middle Eastern Countries.

The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Maurizio Martina, asked CIHEAM to provide a

scientific and technical support to prepare the Conference, given the role played by our

Organization in the Mediterranean Dialogue and Cooperation in the field of agriculture, food

and rural development.

4. Innovative Food Security Indicators in the Mediterranean region

CIHEAM has decided to dedicate its Watch Letter number 32 on "Innovative Food Security

Indicators in the Mediterranean region". This issue will be published in April 2015. We

would like to invite all the experts interested by the publication to submit proposals by

October 30 (no more than 4-5 lines) in order to present the topic, the authors involved and

theirs positions. Find the Call that contains guidelines and technical details about the

publication.

Read more: http://www.medspring.eu/sites/default/files/call-Innovative-indicators-of-Food-

Security-ciheam.pdf.

5. Powering Agriculture Portal

Many farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries lack access to reliable,

affordable, and clean energy services. This limits their ability to adopt modern agricultural

practices, increase food production, improve efficiency of their operations, and benefit from

broad-based, low-carbon economic growth. As the global population steadily increases,

substantial agricultural intensification will need to occur - which is intrinsically tied to an

increase in energy demand.

Along the value chain - from obtaining agri-inputs, planting, irrigation, and harvesting to

processing, transportation, and storage - there are opportunities for increased use of clean

energy technologies as well as increased energy efficiency to enhance agriculture

production and value. Not only is there an identified need for technology development, but

also for creative approaches to bring clean energy innovations to commercial scale.

Read more: https://energypedia.info/wiki/Portal:Powering_Agriculture.

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6. CIHEAM and the Mediterranean Diet

CIHEAM is pleased to announce that Greece has been assigned the coordinating role of

the Network of the seven Member Countries subscribed to the Mediterranean Diet in

UNESCO's representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Greek Ministry has

assigned, as the coordination point, the CIHEAM-Chania.

The paper is available on http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/cosimo-lacirignola/pour-leurope-de-

demain-ne_b_5328471.html.

7. Call for best sustainable development practices on food security

The call for "Best Sustainable Development Practices on Food Security" of Expo Milano

2015 will focus on projects that put into action the principles of Sustainable Development.

The announcement is intended to collect, raise awareness and share experiences that have

produced ameliorative effects, compared to the previous conditions, in their specific area.

Read more: https://www.feedingknowledge.net/best-practices.

8. Sustainable Energy for Food symposium

The symposium called "Nachhaltige Energie für Ernhrung" (Sustainable Energy for Food) is

organized by GIZ and DIE on behalf of BMZ on the 12 of June 2014 at Deutsche Welle,

Kurt-Schumacher-Strae 3, 53113 Bonn. The objective is to promote exchange on the topic

of Sustainable energy for Food. The symposium is free of charge and will take place in

German. English Translations will be available.

According to conservative estimates, producing food and getting it to the table accounts for

around 30 per cent of energy consumed worldwide. With the demand for food on the

increase and energy resources in limited supply, experts in science, business, civil society

and development cooperation who work in the energy and/or food sector all face the same

challenge: how can we produce more food using as little energy as possible while

increasing the share of renewable energy? This GIZ-DIE symposium will show where the

various stakeholders currently stand on this issue. It will also examine which energy-smart

solutions exist in our agri-food systems and investigate how to accelerate their broad-based

roll-out.

Registration ends by 31 May 2014. Register using this online form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cNEo4TiOOe2nG1AofDmNGTp_hHdUYPzUp6mMzXGIV

2g/viewform?usp=send_form.

9. Info Day on Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2

The INFO DAY on Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 ("Food security, sustainable

agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bio-

economy") took place in Brussels on 17th January 2014.

Participation in the Info day was free of charge. Horizon 2020 is the new EU Framework

Program for Research and Innovation, succeeding FP7. Running from 2014 to 2020 with a

budget of just over 70 billion euro, Horizon 2020 is part of the drive to create new growth

and jobs in Europe. Horizon 2020 reflects the policy priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy

and addresses major concerns shared by citizens in Europe and elsewhere.

Read more: http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm.

10. Side-event to EU-Africa HLPD on role of STI in promoting Food Security

The event focused on bi-regional STI cooperation in promoting food security. It took place

alongside the "EU-Africa High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and

Innovation". This half-day side event, taking place on the morning of 28th November 2013,

focused on the role of STI in promoting food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

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The program provided an overview of existing and promising joint EU-Africa science,

technology and innovation initiatives in the field of food security, nutrition and sustainable

agriculture.

It took place at the Sofitel Hotel, Place Jourdan 1, 1040 Brussels (close to the HLPD venue)

and it was open to all interested parties. CaastNet+ project attended. The program ended

with a networking lunch.

Visit the following link for more information: http://caast-net-plus.org/object/event/672.

6. Knowledge news on food and energy

1. Growing Power: Exploring energy needs in smallholder agriculture

There is a growing interest in how to deliver energy services to people on a low income, not

just for household use but to earn a living: the so-called productive uses of energy. One

sector that deserves particular attention is smallholder agriculture. Expanding access to

modern energy services and equipment for farmers could help address food security,

gender empowerment and rural poverty. But the issues are complex, barriers plentiful and

examples sparse of successful delivery at scale.

Rural electrification schemes have focused narrowly on supply, rather than use, of energy;

joined-up approaches across sectors are lacking; and the private sector is put off by the

high risks and low returns. This paper considers the why, what and how of energy access

for smallholders and related rural enterprises, and invites discussion among experts,

practitioners and policy-makers on the key priorities, lessons learned and ways forward.

Read more: http://pubs.iied.org/16562IIED.html.

2. Sustainable Energy for Food

Symposium hosted by GIZ and DIE showcases challenges and solutions for sustainable

energy use in the agriculture and food industry. According to conservative estimates,

producing food and getting it to the table accounts for around 30% of the energy consumed

worldwide. With demand for food on the increase and energy resources in limited supply,

experts in science, business, civil society and development cooperation who work in the

energy and/or food sector all face the same challenge: how can we produce more food

using as little energy as possible while increasing the contribution of renewable energy

sources.

This GIZ-DIE symposium will show where the various stakeholders currently stand on this

issue. It will also examine which energy-smart solutions exist in our agri-food systems and

investigate how to accelerate their broad-based roll-out. In his keynote address, Dr Tilman

Altenburg from the German Development Institute (DIE) will explain the relevance of this

topic and map out the challenges ahead. Brief inputs will look in greater depth at how much

and what type of energy agri-food chains require, as well as exploring sustainable energy

options for a viable food industry. The mornings event will close with a look at innovative

regional energy supply solutions and will showcase actual regional development

experiences.

Read more: http://www.giz.de/en/mediacenter/25278.html.

7. Knowledge news on water and food

1. Third Arab Water Forum Focuses on Water for Food, Cities and Energy

The Third Arab Water Forum closed with a reminder to all participants that regional realities

and innovative solutions must be part of the regional input to addressing global water

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challenges, in a call by Benedito Braga, President of the World Water Council, at the forum

in Cairo, Egypt.

The regional forum convened from 9-11 December 2014, drawing 600 representatives of

government water agencies, NGOs and the private sector. The event was organized to

prepare input to the 7th World Water Forum, which will take place in the Republic of Korea

in April 2015.

The Arab Water Forum took place on the theme of "Together Towards a Secure Arab

Water Future", focusing on the issues of water for food, water for cities, water for energy,

trans-boundary water and Smart IWRM' (Integrated Water Resources Management). Read

more:

http://water-l.iisd.org/news/third-arab-water-forum-focuses-on-water-for-food-cities-

andenergy/.

2. Call For Papers - Tropical Agriculture: the Future of Food and Water Security in the MENA Region

From 29th to 30th January 2015 King's College London (KCL), the OCP Policy Center, the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) and Wageningen University will organize

an international conference on Tropical Agriculture: the Future of Food and Water Security

in the MENA region, which will take place in Barcelona. The program will consist of twelve

papers and will be organized by Mark Mulligan (KCL), Martin Keulertz (Purdue University),

Karim El Aynaoui (OCP Policy Center), Eckart Woertz (CIDOB) and Jeroen Warner

(Wageningen University).

Papers from the conference will be considered for a special section in Food Security,

subject to the Journal's normal refereeing process.

3. FAO - HLPE e-Consultation on the Scope of the Report - Water and food security

The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) was established in

2010 as the science-policy interface of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS).

The HLPE aims to improve the robustness of policy making by providing independent,

evidence-based analysis and advice at the request of CFS. As part of the report elaboration

process, the HLPE is now launching an open electronic consultation on the Scope of the

study, submitted by the HLPE Steering Committee for public feedback and comments. The

consultation will run until 20 February 2014.

Find more information at: http://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-hlpe/en/.

4. World Wetlands Day 2014: Wetlands and agriculture

The 2nd February each year is World Wetlands Day, the Convention's annual campaign

day. 2014 is the UN International Year of Family Farming - so the Ramsar Convention

chose Wetlands & Agriculture as the World Wetlands Day theme for 2014. And what a

great theme for Ramsar, given that wetlands are so often intimately linked with agriculture.

Our slogan? Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth, placing a focus on the need for

the wetland and agricultural sectors (and the water sector too of course) to work together

for the best shared outcomes.

Wetlands have often been seen as a barrier to agriculture, and they continue to be drained

and reclaimed to make farming land available. But the essential role of wetlands in support

of agriculture is becoming clearer and clearer, and there are successful agricultural

practices which support healthy wetlands.

We hope these materials will help you to focus on wetlands and agriculture in your

international, national or local situation and launch your own World Wetlands Day

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campaign. This leaflet looks at different types and scales of agriculture, at the impacts of

agriculture on wetlands, and at some of the successful methods used to reduce the

negative impacts, sustain wetland health, and restore degraded wetlands in agricultural

landscapes.

Read more: http://www.ramsar.org/.

8. Knowledge news on Nexus

1. Launch of the Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE2W) Network

UNESCO International Hydrological Program (IHP) and the Australian National University

(ANU)-UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Trans-boundary Water Governance are

organizing the official launch of the Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE2W) Network

on 26 November 2014, 15h, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. About one-third of the

world's population lives in countries that are experiencing water stress.

Population growth will increase water demand, while global food demand by 2050 could

increase by 50 per cent and total primary energy use by as much as 80 per cent or more.

While both food and energy growth will require increased water use, this does not

necessarily mean greater regional water insecurity as it will depend on where the growth

occurs, and how it is managed.

The FE2W Network provides decision-makers at all levels with the knowledge and

frameworks to effectively manage the tradeoffs between the security of food, energy,

environment and water. FE2W actions aim at improving how to manage systemic risks and

shocks across these systems. FE2W Network is bridging the silos across food, energy,

environment and water, recognizing the interlinked uncertainties, and improving people's

lives. Read more:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/natural-

sciencesevents/?tx_browser_pi1[showUid]=29802&cHash=11e8362d26.

2. Global Forum on Environment - New perspectives on the Water-Energy-Food-Nexus

The OECD Global Forum on Environment on the topic of "New Perspectives on the Water-

Energy-Food Nexus" will be held on 27-28 November 2014 at the OECD headquarters in

Paris. This Forum will provide a platform for senior policy experts, private sector leaders

and government officials from OECD and Partner Countries to explore how countries can

align policy goals to address water, energy and food reforms in a more coherent way. The

Forum will be held over two days and will discuss four areas that can contribute to more

integrated policy making in this domain:

Understanding long-term impacts of the nexus on growth

Improving coherence between national, regional and local planning and priorities

Promoting private sector investment in the nexus

Mainstreaming the nexus in the post-2015 development agenda

The Forum will also feature a high-level meeting of the Global Dialogue on Water Security

and Sustainable Growth, co-chaired by the OECD Secretary-General Mr. Angel Gurra and

Dr. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss of the Global Water Partnership. To register contact: nexus at

oecd.org. For any questions regarding the Forum contact the Forum organizer Kate Eklin at

kate.eklin at oecd.org or the Forum assistant Ruth Catts-Lemaire at ruth.catts-lemaire at

oecd.org.

A draft agenda and additional information is available on the Forum website:

http://www.oecd.org/environment/nexus.htm.

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3. CIHEAM-IAMB article on water-energy-food security nexus

The water-energy-food security nexus is now receiving consensus and attention of both

political and technical experts. Indeed, the World Water Day 2014 was mainly on this topic.

Nowadays most of the international organization and agencies are making major efforts to

increase the know-how and to assist the developing countries. The CIHEAM- IAM of Bari is

leading and addressing this important issue to be developed in most Mediterranean

countries and Balkans area. Find the pdf version of the interesting article on this topic by

Hamdy A., Driouech N. and Hmid A. (2014) "The water-energy-food security nexus in the

Mediterranean: challenges and opportunities". Follow the link:

http://www.agrosym.rs.ba/agrosym/agrosym_2014/documents/PROCEEDINGS_2014.pdf

to access the book of proceedings from the Fifth International Scientific Agricultural

Symposium - Agrosym 2014 held in Jahorina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), from 23rd to 26th

October 2014. The article can be found in the pages from 23 to 33.

A workshop on this thematic was organized in the 3rd Arab Water Forum in Cairo- Egypt,

and was sponsored by Ciheam-Bari Institute and MedSpring Project.

4. Nexus 2014 Conference - Date Change Advisory

The "Nexus 2014: Water, Food, Climate and Energy Conference" has been moved to

Wednesday, March 5th through Saturday, March 8th due to the scheduling of a just

announced meeting of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Open Working Group. This

date change allows for participants to engage in immediate discussions of the most recent

UN deliberations at the Conference and it presents an opportunity to extend the early bird

registration deadline to January 31.

The Water Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will host the Nexus

Conference to bring together leaders in business, government, NGOs and research to

discuss innovative and sustainable solutions that address the intersection of the worlds

water, food, and energy needs and use in a changing climate. The Conference comprises a

variety of panel discussions, interactive and networking sessions, and research

presentations aimed at increasing the dialog around Nexus issues.

To view an agenda of Conference activities, visit:

http://nexusconference.web.unc.edu/agenda/.

5. Water, energy and food nexus in the Arab region

Addressing water scarcity, both natural and human induced, in the Arab region is

considered one of the major and most critical challenges facing the Arab countries. This

challenge is expected to grow with time due to many pressing driving forces, including

population growth, food demand, unsettled and politicized shared water resources, climate

change, and many others, forcing more countries into more expensive water sources, such

as desalination, to augment their limited fresh water supplies. The heavy financial,

economic, environmental, as well as social costs and burden to be borne cannot be

overemphasized.

Read more: http://www.afedonline.org/report2013/english/annex-eng.pdf.

6. Report on how agrifood firms are building new business cases in the water-energy-food nexus

Understanding water-energy-food inter-linkages and managing them holistically is critical to

sustainability in the sector. But while some private enterprises in the agri-food sector

understand the significance of the nexus and some have already seen competitive

advantages in nexus-driven solutions for sustainable crop management, processing,

distribution and retailing - most do not.

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REEEP has since 2012 put special emphasis on tackling the nexus, focusing in particular

on the agrifood sector the most prominent single subsector within the nexus, alone

accounting for some 80% of total freshwater use, 30% of total energy demand, and 12-30%

of man-made greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. With global food production expected

to increase 70% by 2050, the sector is facing unprecedented resource pressures, with more

on the horizon.

The cornerstone of these efforts is the nexus portfolio of the 9th Call nine projects that

demonstrated the new thinking among small and medium-sized enterprises about how

nexus thinking can be both profitable and sustainable. Building upon those projects is an in-

house study, commissioned by the FAO, on nexus-driven business cases within the

agrifood sector. The new 10th Call specifically targets clean energy enterprise development

in the sector.

Read more: http://www.reeep.org/nexus.

7. Report on The Water-Energy-Food Nexus - A new approach in support of food security and sustainable agriculture

FAO has published a new report on The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: ”A new approach in

support of food security and sustainable agriculture". This note is the result of an FAO-

internal consultative process led by the Land and Water Division (NRL) and the Climate,

Energy and Tenure Division (NRC). It has been prepared by Olivier Dubois, Jean-Marc

Faurs, Erika Felix, Alessandro Flammini, Jippe Hoogeveen, Lucie Pluschke, Manas Puri

and Olay Finver. Publishing arrangements and communication strategy were carried out by

Nicoletta Forlano. The graphic design and layout was done by James Morgan. Funding for

FAO work on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus was provided in part by the OPEC Fund for

International Development (OFID) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic

Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which are gratefully acknowledged.

Read more: http://www.fao.org/energy/41459-08c8c5bb39e0d89e17fdb63314c4c6ce5.pdf.

8. Expert groups meeting on green value chains

The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Green Value Chains for Improving Livelihoods in the

Arab Region was held in Beirut, Lebanon on 20-21 June 2013. It brought together experts

from national public, private and civil society institutions and from regional and international

institutions. The experts were from the economic, social and environment fields, working on

such issues as agriculture, industry, water and energy. The meeting offered a platform to

review and discuss policies and initiatives for developing and/or strengthening green

agricultural value chains in the Arab region by identifying key challenges and opportunities

and examining and proposing ways to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in terms of

higher productivity, improved use of resources, improved product quality and safety, and

reduced waste.

9. Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus

How can science and policy work toward achieving water, energy and food security for

everyone within the planetary boundaries? The International Conference on Sustainability

in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Bonn brought together more than 260 researchers,

decision makers and practitioners from all over the world to discuss this pressing issue.

This video summarizes the outcomes and key messages of the conference. Watch and

share the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LJ175VmPGQ&feature=youtu.be. For more info on the

conference and its outcomes visit: http://wef-conference.gwsp.org/.

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10. Upcoming Webinar on the Water-Energy Nexus

Applied Solutions organizes the webinar with title: "Analyzing the Water-Energy Nexus:

Case Studies that Examine the Crucial Connection", next Monday, June 30th, 2014, from

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PDT/ 5:00pm - 6:30pm GMT (UTC). Space is limited, so reserve

your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/456342814.

Speakers include Ned Spang, Ph.D., Program Manager for the UC Davis Center for Water-

Energy Efficiency; Heather Cooley, Director of the Pacific Institute's Water Program; and

Amanda Acheson, Sustainable Building Program Manager for Coconino County, Arizona.

11. Workshop on Earth Observations and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted the Workshop on Earth

Observations (EO) and the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. Participants discussed:

examples of EO contributions to WEF nexus assessments; information needs of WEF

policy-makers; gaps in monitoring information and services that could be addressed by EO;

and development of a synthesis report on the state of EO applications to WEF issues.

The meeting took place from 25-27 March 2014, at FAO Headquarters, in Rome, Italy. The

meeting was sponsored by the Global Water System Project (GWSP), European Space

Agency (ESA) and the FAO. The meeting included thematic breakout sessions on:

sustainable agriculture and land use; water and aquatic systems; and climate and energy.

Cross-cutting breakout sessions took place on data access, services, analysis and

mapping, and on modeling, scenario analysis and other decision-making tools.

Read more: http://water-l.iisd.org/news/workshop-addresses-earth-observations-and-the-

water-energy-food-nexus/.

12. Co-optimizing Solutions: Water and Energy for Food, Feed and Fiber

One of the biggest challenges we will face in the coming years is how to provide more food,

fiber and fuel to a growing and increasingly more afluent world, while at the same time

striving to use resources more efficiently, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and

maintain healthy ecosystems. Competing and growing demands for water, energy and food

will put great strains on our resources and require us to leave business-as-usual scenarios

behind.

The "World Business Council for Sustainable Development" (WBCSD) has published a new

report "Co-optimizing Solutions: Water and Energy for Food, Feed and Fiber", which

presents some of the most promising, innovative and scalable solutions to the worlds

interconnected water, energy, and food, feed, and fiber challenges, and reveals how these

solutions can be integrated to become even more impactful. It is now available on our

website, together with an executive summary.

The report is based on advanced research with a sophisticated quantitative analysis of

global linkages compiled by MetaMeta and Resourcematics Ltd, and case studies of

techniques that forward-thinking companies are using. These new and upcoming

techniques may hold the key to ushering us towards agricultural production that is

knowledge-intensive, more precise resource-efficient. The report was launched at the

"Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Conference" which took place on May 19-

20 in Bonn, Germany.

Read more: http://www.gwsp.org/fileadmin/documents_news/Call_to_Action.pdf.

13. Delhi Sustainable Development Summit Discusses Energy, Water and Food Security

Participants highlighted growing demand for energy, water and food, and recommended

actions at the 14th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS). This year's summit

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took place on 6-8 February 2014, in New Delhi, India, under the theme 'Attaining Energy,

Water, Food Security for All'.

Africa must choose an industrialization path that allows it to be part of the sustainable

development solution without having to forfeit its right to industrialize, stressed Carlos

Lopes, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Executive Secretary. He proposed a

six-point strategy for Africa that: leap-frogs to a low carbon development pathway; invests in

climate science, services and data to facilitate development of early warning systems,

research on climate adaptation, impact and vulnerability and a knowledge economy;

improves institutional and policy capacity; shares experiences through South-South

partnerships, including among Africa and Caribbean and Pacific small island developing

States (PSIDS); leverages agriculture and invests in innovation, sustainable land

management (SLM) and water use efficiency; and recognizes tourism potential.

Read more: http://water-l.iisd.org/news/delhi-sustainable-development-summit-discusses-

energy-water-and-food-security/.

14. Call to Action for Implementing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Achieving water, energy and food security for everyone within the planetary boundaries is

one of the greatest challenges humankind is facing today. The International Conference on

Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, meeting in Bonn, Germany on May 19th

and 20th 2014, recognizes that water, energy and food are increasingly interrelated.

Considering water, energy and food together in a nexus framework is both necessary and

forward looking.

Such an approach focuses on increasing resource use efficiencies, which in turn reduce

environmental pressures and maximize the benefits from scarce resources. A nexus

approach can also produce benefits across sectors through cooperation and can help with

identifying different interactions between interdependent social and environmental systems.

Despite this, the strong linkages between water, energy and food are seldom understood

and are rarely incorporated in the development of national and regional water, food or

energy security strategies.

The Call to Action includes a set of guidelines which aim to support policy makers,

practitioners and researchers as they consider a Nexus approach which focuses on

increasing resource use efficiencies, which in turn reduce environmental pressures and

maximize the benefits from scarce resources. Taken collectively, the guidelines of the Call

to Action can constitute the centerpiece for Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus.

Read more: http://wef-conference.gwsp.org/call-to-action.html.

15. Thirsty Energy: Securing Energy in a Water-Constrained World

Significant amounts of water are needed in almost all energy generation processes, from

generating hydropower, to cooling and other purposes in thermal power plants, to extracting

and processing fuels. Conversely, the water sector needs energy to extract, treat and

transport water. Both energy and water are used in the production of crops, including those

used to generate energy through bio-fuels. Population growth and rapidly-expanding

economies place additional demands on water and energy, while several regions around

the world are already experiencing significant water and energy shortages.

Today, more than 780 million people lack access to potable water, and over 1.3 billion

people lack access to electricity. At the same time, estimates show that by 2035, global

energy consumption will increase by 35%, while water consumption by the energy sector

will increase by 85%. Climate change will further challenge water and energy management

by causing more water variability and intensified weather events, such as severe floods and

droughts.

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Read more: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/sustainabledevelopment/brief/water-energy-

nexus.

16. Water-Energy-Food Emerging Scholars Award - 1st prize funded invite to Oxford University Workshop

The Global Water Forum is pleased to announce the launch of the 2014 Emerging Scholars

Award. In 2014 the Award will be linked to a workshop at the University of Oxford: Water,

Food and Energy: Understanding and Managing the Risks and Trade-offs that will take

place in June 2014. Further details and instructions can be found at:

http://www.globalwaterforum.org/awards/2014-emerging-scholars-award/.

17. International Conference "Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus"

Recognizing the sustainability of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus as a key research-

for-action initiative, the conference will allow an internal policy consultation process to

inform, influence, and catalyze action by key actors - including policymakers,

nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, educators, and researchers.

The conference encourages an ecosystem oriented nexus approach as ecosystems form

the foundation of the WEF Nexus with all sectors relying on their services. Aquatic

ecosystems and their related services are degrading faster than many other natural

systems, threatening the well-being of current and future generations. Special attention will

therefore be given to ecosystem-based management approaches and tools in order to

achieve WEF Nexus and ecosystem sustainability.

Find more information at: http://wef-conference.gwsp.org/.