TECHNICAL WEBINAR SERIES
Innovation and Science for the Operationalization of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Amazon Basin
Webinar 3: Outcomes and Future DIRECTIONs for Nexus Analytical Tools in the Amazon Basin
20 MARCH 2026 – 1100 (US ET), 1200 (Brasilia)
Target Audience
This webinar is directed at practitioners, policy and decision makers, scientists, researchers, academics and other professionals interested in modeling and decision-support tools in the water, energy, food, climate and environmental/ecosystems sectors.
The webinar will be of particular interest to technical specialists from institutions responsible for water resources management, energy planning, agricultural development, environmental monitoring, and climate adaptation in ACTO Member Countries.
Participants from the ACTO Regional Nexus Group, national technical agencies, and regional organizations involved in the Amazon Basin are strongly encouraged to participate.
Background
This webinar is part of the project sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) entitled Innovation and Science for the Operationalization of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus within the Framework of the Amazon Regional Observatory (ORA).
The project has focused on the development and operationalization of integrated analytical tools to support multi-sectoral planning and decision-making in the Amazon River Basin. These tools combine hydrological modeling (HydroBID), nexus systems modeling (WHAT-IF), and interactive dashboards integrated into the ORA platform.
Through a series of webinars, workshops, and technical training activities conducted between 2024 and 2026, the project has strengthened the capacity of specialists from ACTO Member Countries to apply these tools in the analysis of water, energy, food, and ecosystem interactions in the basin.
The first two webinars in this series focused on: (i) the operationalization of the HydroBID-WHATIF nexus modeling framework, and (ii) the development of new analytical products and dashboards for nexus analysis.
This third webinar will present the outcomes of the project, highlight lessons learned from the training and capacity-building activities conducted, and discuss future perspectives for strengthening nexus analytical capacity in the Amazon Basin.
Objectives of the Webinar
This webinar aims to present the main results of the project and discuss future opportunities for strengthening nexus analytical capabilities in the Amazon Basin. Specifically, the webinar will:
- Present the outcomes of the project, including the operationalization of the HydroBID-WHATIF nexus modeling tools within the Amazon Regional Observatory.
- Summarize the new analytical products developed for the nexus dashboards, including tools related to water balance analysis, ecological flows, water quality indicators, and infrastructure intervention scenarios.
- Highlight the results of the regional training activities, including the HydroBID and WHAT-IF training courses conducted with technical specialists from ACTO Member Countries.
- Present recommendations for future capacity-building efforts to strengthen the use of nexus analytical tools across the region.
- Discuss opportunities for continued collaboration among ACTO Member Countries in the application of nexus tools for integrated planning and sustainable development in the Amazon Basin.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the webinar, participants are expected to:
- Understand the final results and achievements of the project, including the operational integration of the HydroBID-WHATIF nexus modeling framework into the Amazon Regional Observatory.
- Become familiar with the analytical tools and dashboards available through the ORA platform for nexus analysis in the Amazon Basin.
- Identify opportunities for applying nexus analytical tools in national planning processes within ACTO Member Countries.
- Contribute to the discussion of future capacity-building priorities and collaboration opportunities for strengthening nexus analysis in the region.
Registration, Meeting Link, Language and Certification
Webinar participants must register by using the following link:
ZOOM LINK COMING SOON.
The webinar will have simultaneous translation into English and Spanish.
UMCES will issue certificates of participation to registered participants.
Webinar Agenda
The Technical Webinar will have a duration of 120 minutes, with the following sessions:
Webinar Opening and Introduction of Presenters (10 min)
- Workshop Opening (IADB)
- Introduction of Nexus Team Specialists
Nexus Readiness Exercise (Interactive) (5 min)
Overview of the Project and Key Results (15 min)
- Background and objectives of the project
- Overview of the HydroBID-WHATIF nexus modeling framework
- Integration of nexus tools within the Amazon Regional Observatory
Interacting with the Amazonia Nexus Analytical Dashboards (45 min)
- Overview of nexus analytical dashboards
- Water balance and ecological flow analysis
- Water quality and nexus intervention scenarios
- Applications for planning and policy analysis
Lessons Learned from Regional Training Activities (10 min)
- Summary of regional training workshops and webinars
- Capacity building outcomes
- Technical feedback from ACTO Member Countries
Future Directions for Nexus Capacity Building (10 min)
- Strategic recommendations for strengthening nexus analytical capacity
- Opportunities for national intersectoral dialogue platforms
- Future collaboration and regional initiatives
Moderated Discussion (15 min)
Participants will be invited to share their perspectives on:
- future applications of nexus analytical tools
- priorities for capacity building in Member Countries
- opportunities for collaboration through the Amazon Regional Observatory.
Closing Session (10 min)
- Summary of key messages
- Next steps for the use of nexus analytical tools in the Amazon Basin
- Closing remarks
