New Mediterranean Community Aims to Boost Resource Management through Cross-Sector Collaboration

LARNACA: A significant new initiative to enhance integrated resource management across the Mediterranean was launched last week, as the Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Community of Practice (NCoP) officially began its journey with a major stakeholder event in Larnaca, Cyprus.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the event was hosted by The Cyprus Institute and marks a major step in fostering collaboration among diverse sectors to tackle the interlinked challenges of water, energy, food, and ecosystems (WEFE) in the Mediterranean region. The launch is part of the WEFE4MED project, which is funded through the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

The newly established WEFE NCoP aims to bring together experts including scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders from various sectors to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and address critical interconnections in the Mediterranean’s resource management landscape. This collaborative effort seeks to scale success
ful models and craft sustainable solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

The event featured a roster of distinguished speakers, such as Commissioner for the Environment Antonia Theodosiou, Dr. Elisabetta Balzi from the European Commission DG Research and Innovation, Dr. Jann Martinsohn from the European Commission Joint Research Center, and Dr. Angelo Riccaboni, Chair of the PRIMA Foundation. These experts contributed their insights on enhancing collaborative efforts in resource management.

The gathering drew 112 participants from 20 countries, encompassing members from academia, research organizations, and both public and private sectors, engaging both in person and online. The event culminated with the signing of the WEFE NCoP Charter’s Chapeau, which outlines a shared vision, mission, and guiding principles for future collaboration. Participants at the event reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, aligning policies, and disseminating best practices across the Mediterranea
n region.