Sign in Register
Posted On: 22 December 2019 10:02 am
Updated On: 12 November 2020 02:21 pm

HBKU holds workshop to explore Water Energy Food (WEF) nexus

Sumaica Asad
Sumaica Asad
Discuss here!
Start a discussion
HBKU

College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in partnership with the University of Birmingham has held an experts' workshop to strengthen collaboration between energy and food (WEF) nexus researchers in Qatar and the United Kingdom.

Organized in partnership with the Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Birmingham, the workshop, themed "Localizing Water-Energy-Food Nexus Innovation in Qatar", examined the legal and governance aspects of WEF nexus discourse. The event also provided a platform for sharing information on how to ensure that WEF technologies are properly absorbed and adapted to local circumstances in Qatar.

Discussions considered enablers and obstacles facing Qatar's WEF adaptation activities, as well as innovative legal tools, resources and other best practices that can help advance the country's application of relevant technologies and solutions.

The workshop also provided opportunities for senior participants in government, private sector and academia to offer their perspectives on the adoption, diffusion and assimilation of WEF technologies in Qatar.

The workshop also featured collaborators from the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA); Baladna; Education City Gulf Club; and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies amongst others.

Speaking after the workshop, Dean of the HBKU's College of Law Susan L. Karamanian said: "Holding this event was important for several reasons. First, like many countries in the Arab region, Qatar faces the three-pronged challenge of water shortage, food insecurity, and extreme vulnerability of critical national infrastructure to climate change. Second, Qatar National Vision 2030 acknowledges the importance of a legal system that offers maximum protection for the country's environment. Consequently, Qatar's efforts to make full use of sustainable WEF technologies must never lose sight of the need to balance innovation with pragmatism."

"Finally, our collaboration with the University of Birmingham underlines the College of Law's growing reputation as a world-class provider of legal education with an international reputation. The workshop also demonstrated our ability to deliver innovative teaching and research that traverses civil, common and Sharia legal systems. We look forward to providing further opportunities in the future," she added.

According to Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, Associate Professor at HBKU's College of Law "Integrated and multi-system thinking is required to address the full range of challenges that may hinder the full deployment of innovative technologies that advance energy, water and food security in Qatar and the UK."

"This workshop has provided significant opportunities for us to unpack law and governance innovations that can help address grand challenges on WEF in both countries. We hope to build on the successes of this workshop to strengthen our high impact research and collaboration in partnership with our colleagues from the University of Birmingham," he added.

The College of Law at HBKU regularly hosts public lectures, conferences and other events to discuss the diverse legal systems that inform Qatari law as well as complex events and transactions, both in the region and around the world.

Source: QNA
Image Credit: Peninsula