Role of Renewables in Enhancing the Water, Energy and Food Nexus

Role of Renewables in Enhancing the Water, Energy and Food Nexus took place on 22 May 2017, at the IRENA Headquarters, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) co-organised a workshop on the "Role of Renewables in Enhancing the Water, Energy and Food Nexus" on 22 May 2017, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, on the sidelines of the 13th meeting of the Council of IRENA in Abu Dhabi. The UAE cohosted the workshop in its capacity as the Chair of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) for 2017, and as a co-prime mover of the 'Interrelation of Food, Energy and Water Security’ ACD cooperation pillar. It is also based on the UAE's proposed activity in the ACD Energy Action Plan adopted at the 15th ACD Ministerial Meeting hosted in Abu Dhabi in January 2017, under the action area of "Promoting information exchange and sharing of best practices on energy policies, plans and programs among the ACD Member States".

The workshop began with a scene-setting presentation by IRENA on the role of renewable energy in the water, energy and food nexus showcasing findings from its general and context-specific (desalination, agri-food chain, solar pumping and water use in the power sector) work on the topic. The presentation was followed by interventions from the Member States and a panel discussion.