50th Anniversary of IHP and 60 years of UNESCO Water Sciences - Dr. Jordi Morató recognized as long-standing contributor to IHP

In the framework of the 50th Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and 60 years of UNESCO Water Sciences, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability organize on Friday 13 June 2025 in UNESCO Paris (11:00-12:30) the side event "Examples of WEFE NEXUS Approach in Advancing Urban Water Management, Hidrodiplomacy and Innovative Financial Mechanisms for Water Infrastructure Projects", in collaboration with the Cyprus Institute (CYI), University of Balamand (UOB),  UNESCO Chair at St’Andrews College Mumbai Inter-religious and Inter-cultural dialogue in the frame of Sciences Water member of Unesco Family Water and the UNESCO Chair on Urban Resilience at University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark. During the event, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC, represented by its director, Dr. Jordi Morató, received a special recognition.

UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme marks its 50th anniversary from 10-13 June 2025, with panel discussions and performances at UNESCO HQ in Paris.

In the afternoon session during June 11, from 15:45 to 16:45 in Room I, a special ceremony was held to recognize long-standing contributors to the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). Among the individuals honored was the Director of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, Dr. Jordi Morató, whose ongoing commitment and contributions to the IHP were formally acknowledged.

After receiving the recognition, Dr. Jordi Morató delivered the following remarks: "This recognition is not for an individual trajectory, but for the shared path of a group of friends and collaborators who have grown and worked around the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability at UPC. From our contributions to UNESCO itself—where José Luis Martín Bordes has been, and continues to be, a key and tireless figure—to the fruitful sessions of reflection and action with Nicola Tollin, every step has been marked by collective commitment. I would also like to highlight the role of the Chair’s team, who accompany, advise, and energize me every day in this international work. Most especially, my thanks to Olga Lucía Sánchez, whose commitment has been essential, and to Brent Villanueva, whose enthusiasm and dedication remain unwavering. And I cannot conclude without mentioning a fundamental person who managed to bring together many of the initiatives and efforts we celebrate today: Rosario Pastor. Her energy and vision remain a source of inspiration, although sadly she is no longer physically with us. This recognition, therefore, is also a tribute to the power of collaboration, friendship, and our shared commitment to a world we would like to be more just. Thank you—thank you to all… but we keep working. Jordi"

During Friday 13th, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability participates in the following two pannels:

a)    11:00 – 12:30 h. Room VIII – Examples of WEFE Nexus approach

b)    11:00 – 12:30 h. Room II – Applications of AI for water management II

As the global community accelerates efforts to cope with the challenges of climate change, Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) through its application in hydrological sciences is emerging as a powerful tool for advancing sustainable resource management. The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus provides a holistic framework to understand and optimize these interconnected systems—critical for addressing global climate and development challenges.

Friday 13 June 2025 - 11h00 to 12h30

Time: 11:00 to 12:30 

Format: Hybrid (in-person & virtual) 

Location: Room VIII 

Virtual access: Join via Zoom 

SUMMARY: This side event examined integrated systems thinking for urban water management, hydrodiplomacy, and innovative financing mechanisms. The event emphasized building urban resilience through AI-driven solutions and collaborative governance frameworks, highlighting the urgent need to modernize approaches to water challenges.

This side event explored the transformative potential of integrated systems thinking in advancing urban water management, hydrodiplomacy, and innovative financing mechanisms for water infrastructure. The session emphasized building urban resilience through AI-driven solutions and collaborative governance frameworks, positioning these approaches as essential for addressing contemporary water challenges. The first session concentrated on harnessing artificial intelligence for WEFE (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems) nexus assessment, with presentations highlighting the need for robust data collection methodologies, digital transformation strategies, and multisectoral AI applications designed to bridge technical gaps while overcoming political barriers. Key contributors included Rachid Mrabet, Jordi Morató, and Nicola Tollin.

The second session addressed hydrodiplomacy challenges and innovative solutions, to discuss the groundbreaking Hydrodiplomacy Partnership Program (HPP), developed by the Cyprus Institute (CYI) and the University of Balamand (UOB), featuring President Fadi Comair, Prof. Ignasius Sutapa, Prof A K Sinha, Giuseppe Musumeci and Eurico de Carvalho Filho.

To strengthen the WEFE Nexus effectively, the strategic adoption and integration of digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Internet of Things, and digital twins proves essential for optimizing nexus management through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and informed decision-making that improve resource allocation and operational efficiency. Simultaneously, integrating Nature-Based Solutions into WEFE strategies offers cost-effective methods delivering diverse environmental, social, and economic co-benefits through ecosystem restoration, enhanced climate resilience, and sustainable livelihood support.

The WEFE Nexus assumes particular importance in transboundary contexts, emphasizing integrated governance of shared resources across borders where strengthening trust and communication among local and sectoral stakeholders complements formal agreements.

Addressing nexus issues at appropriate biophysical and administrative scales through mechanisms such as catchment officers or regional coordination bodies ensures more effective and equitable resource management. By combining technological innovation, ecosystem-based strategies, and circular economic models, the WEFE nexus can be managed more effectively, ensuring resilience against climate change and socio-economic challenges while maximizing synergies across water, energy, food, and environment sectors. Ultimately, the success of technical solutions in shared basins depends fundamentally on strong human collaboration and joint decision-making processes that transcend political boundaries and create sustainable, integrated management frameworks.

The organisers wish to highlight the following key messages from the side event:

KEY MESSAGES: 1. Technology Integration. Addressing modern water challenges requires shifting from traditional infrastructure-centric approaches to data-driven, AI-enhanced platforms that leverage real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. 2. Collaborative Innovation. Effective water management demands integrated solutions combining hydrodiplomacy, innovative financing mechanisms (like perpetual bonds), and multisectoral cooperation to build resilient urban water systems.

Below we present some of the most remarkable comments by the invited speakers:

Dr. Sarantuya Zandaryaa - Opened the event by emphasizing the importance of integrated systems thinking in urban water management, hydrodiplomacy, and financing. She framed the session around the need to strengthen urban resilience through AI-driven solutions and collaborative governance frameworks, setting the tone for a forward-looking discussion.

Rachid Mrabet - Presented regional initiatives addressing WEFE (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems) security in Northern Africa. He highlighted how cascading events—such as climate shocks and resource interdependencies—threaten stability and called for strategic approaches to enhance regional resilience through multisectoral cooperation.

Jordi Morató - Advocated for Decision Support Systems (DSS), system dynamics modeling, and multi-objective optimization as essential tools for understanding and managing WEFE interlinkages. He stressed the importance of simulation-based planning to support informed, data-driven decisions across water and energy systems.

Nicola Tollin - Focused on translating WEFE assessment tools to urban contexts, calling for localized, adaptable models. He emphasized the need for digital transformation and urban-specific strategies to make AI and integrated thinking actionable within cities.

President Fadi Comair - Addressed hydrodiplomacy challenges, emphasizing the need for trustworthy databases for managing transboundary water resources. He warned of growing cybersecurity threats to water infrastructure and called attention to the significant energy costs associated with desalination in countries like Cyprus and Lebanon, where 30% of energy is devoted to this process.

Prof. Ignasius Sutapa - Introduced the Subak development model, a traditional Balinese system integrating organic agriculture, community-based governance, and circular economy principles. He showcased it as a replicable model for promoting food sustainability through integrated water-land-use planning.

Prof. Sinha - Focused on freshwater resource management as a pillar of sustainable development. He framed water as a key enabler for sustaining life and livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable regions, and advocated for equitable and environmentally sensitive resource governance.

Giuseppe Musumeci - Presented innovative financing mechanisms for water infrastructure, including the use of perpetual bonds as means to improve access to credit. He argued for financial innovation to enable long-term investment in sustainable water systems.

Eurico de Carvalho Filho - Showcased DHI’s Global Hydrological Model, which includes real-time application tools and a 20+ year historical simulation of global discharge data. He demonstrated how data-intensive models can enhance risk management, climate resilience, and cross-border cooperation through predictive insights.

Time	Description	Speaker(s)
11:00-11:05	Opening with Institutional Introduction	-        Sarantuya Zandaryaa, UNESCO-IHP -        Jordi Morató, UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, UPC, Spain -        Fadi Comair, Cyprus Institute, CYI
11:05-11:45	Session 1: Harnessing AI for WEFE Nexus Assessment: Innovating Water Management and Governance at the urban scale to shape the next generation of NDCs. Presentation of the SureNexus WEFE Award.	-        Jordi Morató, UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, UPC, Spain -        Ali Rhouma, PRIMA Foundation -        Nicola Tollin, UNESCO Chair SDU, Denmark -        Rachid Mrabet, INRA, Morocco -        Alice Aureli, IWRA, UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, UPC, Spain -        Jose Luis Martin, UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, UPC
11:45-12:25	Session 2: CYI Hydrodiplomacy Partnership Program (HPP): A WEFE-NEXUS Approach	-        Fadi Comair, CYI Hydrodiplomacy Partnership Program (HPP): A WEFE-NEXUS Approach -        Giuseppe Musumeci, Innovative financing of water infrastructure -        Prof. Ilan Juran – Executive Director, W-Smart, NYU -        Mme Jeannette Pretot, Presidente Ambassade de l’eau -        Mr.Jean- Paul Dussausse, Vice-presidentl MEDURABLE  -        Dr. Makarius C.S. Lalika, Chairholder of Unesco Chair in Ecohydrology of Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania, Hydrological Services and Nature-based Solutions Along Mara River Wetlands, Tanzania (tbc) -        Prof. Ignasius D.A. Sutapa, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology (APCE) - Unesco C2C Indonesia, Subak development model as integrated organic agriculture cluster to strengthen natural food sustainability and enhance circular economy (tbc), -        Unesco C2C Indonesia, Subak development model as integrated organic agriculture cluster to strengthen natural food sustainability and enhance circular economy (to be confirmed) -        Dr. Ronald Yesusdhas, Outcomes of research in Mumbai of WASH issues (tbc) -        Prof Sebastian M. Michael, Institute of Indian Culture affiliated to the University of Mumbai for Sociology & Anthropology, The role of women in rural economy related to the nexus among water, food and energy -        Eurico de Carvalho Filho, Water and environment engineer / Senior Project Manager at DHI France. Title: DHI’s Global Hydrological Model (GHM): Advancing Real-Time Hydrological Applications.
12:25-12:30	Conclusions	-        Jose Luis Martin, UNESCO Chair on Sustainability, UPC -        Giuseppe Musumeci, UNESCO Chair, St’Andrews