From May 18th to 25th, 2024, PRIMA is joining the world’s largest gathering in the water sector at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. Co-hosted by the World Water Council, this triennial event has been a crucial platform for global water issues since 1997.
The Forum, which includes a comprehensive three-year cycle of preparation, event, and synthesis phases, attracts a diverse array of participants from politics, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Attendance has grown significantly over the years, now drawing tens of thousands of participants.
PRIMA’s presence at the World Water Forum in Bali will feature multiple high-level panel interventions, participation in Mediterranean Regional processes, and a series of side events. PRIMA will emphasize its role in building bridges to create innovative solutions for water scarcity and sustainable management in the Mediterranean. By uniting key stakeholders, promoting science diplomacy, and enhancing scientific collaboration, PRIMA advances the WEFE Nexus approach as its core strategy.
PRIMA’s calendar
21st May
- 13.00 – 14.30: Regional process: RM1 WEFE Nexus
Adopting the WEFE Nexus approach is vital for creating sustainable solutions to global challenges, integrating Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems. At the Bali Forum, Almotaz Abadi (UfM) will present conclusions from the Mediterranean Regional Process and Water Forum (Tunis 2024), while Ali Rhouma (PRIMA) will showcase practical WEFE Nexus implementations for better water management in the Mediterranean.
Organized by: Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) – KINTAMANI 3
- 16.30 – 18.00: Side event: Hidrotecnologías Ancestrales como Respuesta a la Emergencia Climática, Sanitaria y Alimentaria
In this session, the potential of Ancestral Hydrotechnologies (AH) as intangible cultural heritage for climate adaptation will be discussed, alongside examples from Colombia and the Mediterranean. Additionally, selected AH cases in the Ibero-American region will be presented, with insights into upcoming activities promoting the preservation and reproduction of AH worldwide. The presentation by Octavi Quintana will address “Ancestral Hydrotechnologies: A Vital Contribution to Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, Linking to the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean.”
Organized by: UPC, UNESCO, STP CODIA – Spanish pavilion
16h30-18h00
22nd May:
- 10.20 – 11.50: High level panel: HLP 10 Worldwide Observatory for Non-Conventional Water Resources & Renewable Energy
This High-Level Panel aims to address the challenge of decreasing freshwater resources amid increasing demand by expanding non-conventional water resources. It will facilitate dialogue between ministers from the Mediterranean and Sahel regions and other areas to discuss the mobilization of such resources, including desalination and wastewater reuse, alongside renewable energy. The session will also explore the role of platforms like the Observatory, developed by the Mediterranean Water Institute, in advancing non-conventional water resources and associated renewable energies through inter-ministerial cooperation and financing mechanisms. Octavi Quintana will take part in the discussion panel
Organized by: IME, AQUAFEED, FAO – IPECATU
- 13.00 – 14.30: Regional process: RM6 – Digitalization and new solutions for rational water use
The message from the 5th Mediterranean Water Forum in Tunis to Bali will be delivered, emphasizing the prioritization of innovations, technological advancements, and regulatory solutions aimed at increasing production efficiency while reducing consumption, with a focus on resource protection, a balanced water management approach, and sustainable performance.
Octavi will present on the effective utilization of Decision Support Systems (DSS), highlighting the importance of digital tools for decision-makers to gain a comprehensive overview of the situation and available resources.
Organized by: Aix Marseilles University – KINTAMANI 3
- 13.00 – 14.30: Side event: SE 34 Charting the Future of Freshwater Ecosystems: Success Stories, Collaboration, and Financing for Conservation and Restoration
This side event at the World Water Forum aims to catalyze actionable insights into the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems. As threats such as overexploitation, pollution, and habitat destruction continue to escalate, the necessity for innovative solutions and robust financing mechanisms has never been more pressing. This session is designed to bring together leading experts from diverse sectors to discuss, debate, and share their experiences in managing these vital resources effectively.
Organized by: Foundation Prince Albert II de Monaco -KINTAMANI
- 16.00 – 16.45: Side event: WEFE approach through Indigenous and Local Knowledge as a response for Climate and Food Emergencies
The session will explore the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem approach using Indigenous and Local Knowledge to tackle Climate and Food Emergencies. Ali Rhouma will present “The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus: Current Issues and Future Challenges” and discuss the approach to address Climate and Food Crises, focusing on the SURENEXUS project.
Organized by: UNESCO – UNESCO Pavilion
23rd May
- 15.00 – 16.30: Side event: WEFE Nexus – Project SD Wishes – Cultural Heritage and Nature-based Solutions
This event will convene experts to examine how ancestral knowledge from indigenous communities can inform climate adaptation measures in response to increasing extreme water events, fostering discussions on innovation pathways and investment barriers at the intersection of water, climate, and cultural heritage.
SD-WISHEES is a consortium (to which PRIMA takes part) of researchers, water governance and cultural heritage experts that is collaborating with a Research Funding Organisations in Europe and beyond to understand some of the innovation pathways for climate adaptation, and the barriers to entry for new investment in this area.
“Cultural Heritage and Nature-based Solutions” exhibits how innovations can propel cultural heritage forward, featuring videos of PRIMA projects like Nexus Ness, SUSTAINOLIVE, and SIGMA Nexus, offering insights from project coordinators to amplify voices of implementation on the ground.
Organized by: SD-WISHES – WATER4ALL pavilion
24 May
- 8.30 – 10.00: Side event: SE28 Water-Food-Energy-Carbon Nexus for Sustainable Development
This session will be focusing on the Water-Energy-Food-Carbon Nexus, aimed at tackling intertwined challenges in managing vital resources while mitigating carbon emissions.
Ali Rhouma will based his intervention on footprints. In debates surrounding footprints, there’s a divergence between two viewpoints: the water footprint and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) footprint. While the former focuses on volume, the latter considers broader environmental impacts and multiple factors. The nexus approach provides a framework to harmonize these perspectives. Ali Rhouma has authored an article on this theme and will present an abstract, elaborating on his perspective during the session.
Organized by: NCWU – MEDAN – 8h30-10h00
