Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus constitutes a key approach to achieving sustainable development, given the close interdependence among these sectors. He stressed that addressing these sectors through an integrated approach would enable more efficient use of available resources, enhance countries’ capacity to address common challenges and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sewilam made the remarks during a session entitled "Advancing the Application of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus Approach in the Mediterranean Region," held as part of the 2026 Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum in Rome. The session addressed ways to translate the nexus approach from theoretical frameworks into practical applications, drawing on experiences and lessons learned from projects supported in the areas of governance, financing and scaling up effective solutions.
Sewilam underscored the particular importance of applying the nexus approach at the regional and transboundary levels, noting that enhanced cooperation, benefit-sharing and the alignment of development interests among countries can contribute to more sustainable and effective responses to shared challenges.
He cited the Nile Basin as an important example of the potential benefits of greater integration among basin countries through joint action and the optimal use of diverse resources, including water and rainfall, agricultural land, and solar and wind energy potential.
Such cooperation, he added, can contribute to addressing common challenges and strengthening water, food and energy security for the peoples of the Nile Basin countries. The minister stressed that the challenges facing Nile Basin countries and the African continent require greater cooperation, integration and coordinated action.
He noted that Africa’s Water Vision 2063 provides an important framework for African countries to pursue collective action, promote the exchange of expertise and develop joint solutions to challenges related to water, food, energy and climate change. Sewilam emphasized that water resources should be viewed beyond “blue water” found in rivers and lakes to also encompass “green water” derived from rainfall and stored in soil, as well as other available resources.
Such a comprehensive approach, he explained, would provide a broader assessment of available resources and open up greater opportunities for sustainable development and enhanced productivity. He added that the Mediterranean region possesses substantial potential in renewable energy, natural resources, expertise and technology, offering significant opportunities to deepen cooperation between the northern and southern Mediterranean and develop joint responses to climate change while strengthening water, food and energy security.
The minister also highlighted the importance of harnessing solar energy for water desalination and food production.