Representatives of ministries, government agencies, knowledge institutions and other stakeholders discussed on October 1 and 2, during the National WEFE Nexus Workshop, how Suriname can better coordinate the management of water, energy, food production and ecosystems. The Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment also participated in the meeting.
The workshop focused on the interdependence of these four areas. The so-called WEFE Nexus approach takes into account the consequences that a decision within one sector may have for other sectors. For example, expanding irrigation in agriculture requires more water and energy, while water extraction can affect rivers and biodiversity.
Healthy ecosystems, in turn, contribute to clean water, fertile soils and climate regulation. By taking these connections into account in policy choices, the relevant agencies can better coordinate the use of natural resources.
During interactive sessions, participants discussed challenges, opportunities and future scenarios. Using the Amazonia Nexus Dashboard tool, they explored the possible effects of policy choices on water availability, food security, energy supply and ecosystem conservation.
Climate change, sustainable land use, biodiversity and cooperation between government institutions were also addressed. The meeting was aimed at strengthening cooperation between sectors involved in the management of natural resources.
According to the ministry, the insights and recommendations from the workshop should contribute to the further development of coherent policy for sustainable resource management in Suriname. The results are also intended as a contribution to regional efforts in the Amazon region to promote sustainable development and climate resilience.
