Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – March 7, 2024 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), as a key organizing partner, played a key role in the “Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa” workshop, where it also shared its extensive expertise on the WEFE nexus. The event, primarily organized by the UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) was held at the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa from March 4-6. Convening government representatives, UN partners, NGOs, research institutes, and the private sector, the event aimed to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 7 through a collaborative, integrated approach to the WEFE nexus.

Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya on a panel @GGGI

The WEFE Nexus workshop emphasized the critical need for a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of water, energy, food, and ecosystems to achieve sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants recognized that traditional sectoral approaches must evolve into integrated solutions to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource scarcity.

GGGI’s contributions were central to the workshop’s success, spanning three key sessions. Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya, GGGI Ethiopia’s Country Representative, chaired a panel focused on realizing co-benefits and mitigating trade-offs in both urban and rural settings. “Inclusive project planning and implementation are paramount for achieving sustainable development,” stated Ogbonnaya. “GGGI’s efforts to bridge the gap between science and policy, particularly in addressing the interconnected impacts of the WEFE nexus in Ethiopia and across Africa, exemplify this approach,” he added.

Furthermore, the GGGI team presented national and regional experiences in the WEFE nexus, showcasing successful initiatives in solar-powered climate-smart agriculture, forest landscape restoration, and community empowerment from Ethiopia and Senegal. Discussions highlighted the urgent need to transition from planning to tangible action in mainstreaming the WEFE Nexus across all governance levels. The WEFE Nexus Index was also recognized as a valuable tool for assessing national progress and informing coherent policymaking.

Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya, chairing a panel @GGGI

In his opening remark, H.E. Mr. Jung Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia and Mission to the African Union, highlighted Korea’s historical relation with Ethiopia and affirmed its support for WEFE initiatives in the continent. He stated, “Water, energy, food, and ecosystems are interlinked and require a whole-of-government solution, as the case of Korea shows.” He further emphasized that achieving progress necessitates efficient, integrated, and bankable solutions, and reiterated the Republic of Korea’s commitment to continued partnership with the continent in supporting such activities.

Participants concluded the meeting by preparing action plans to support WEFE nexus investment opportunities, driving more efficient and effective SDG and Africa’s Agenda 2063 implementation in their national contexts. GGGI, with its operational experience in over 50 countries, remains committed to supporting partner countries in the implementation of these action plans through its expertise and collaborative approach. Demonstrating its capacity to translate policy into impactful action, GGGI has assisted member countries in mobilizing over USD 10 billion in green and climate finance commitments since its inception. This commitment will continue to drive sustainable solutions within the WEFE nexus and beyond.