Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus Strategy in the Mediterranean Source to Sea Continuum
Developed together with partners such as GWP-Med (Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean), PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), and the UNEP/MAP MedProgramme, this Strategy is the region’s common framework for applying the Nexus through a source to sea approach, recognizing that what happens upstream (mountain ranges, agricultural plains, cities) directly impacts coastal zones and the marine environment. It tackles one of the Mediterranean’s core problems: competing demands for limited water across agriculture, energy, cities and ecosystems, and provides a regional approach to manage these links together so that measures to boost food and energy security do not undermine rivers, aquifers or coastal and marine ecosystems, helping countries turn “nexus” ideas into concrete policies and investments.
Key elements / outcomes
-
Sets a governance and planning framework for joint action by water, energy, food and environment authorities at basin, national and regional levels.
-
Identifies how to design and scale up integrated WEFE projects (including nature‑based solutions) that deliver co‑benefits for climate resilience, food security and ecosystems.
-
Promotes shared data, indicators and capacity‑building so countries can monitor progress and replicate successful approaches across the Mediterranean.
March 2026
