High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on WASAG – The Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture

Background

Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, severely impacting agriculture, which accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. Droughts are already a major cause of crop failures in many parts of the world and of acute food insecurity crisis in vulnerable countries. With the world population expected to reach around 10 billion in 2050, we will need to produce 50 percent more food than in 2012, which will require at least 25 percent more water. Changing rainfall patterns and a warming climate further threaten the food security and livelihoods of farmers and people worldwide.

In response to these challenges, the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG), a partnership hosted by FAO, was launched in 2016 to tackle the collective challenge of optimizing water use in agriculture to ensure food security for all.

To advance these efforts, FAO will host the "High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on WASAG" on October 17, 2024, as part of the World Food Forum 2024. This dialogue will build on the outcomes of the WASAG preparatory meeting held in April 2024, aiming to enhance the visibility, commitment, and impact of the WASAG partnership.

The event will be held in the Plenary Hall at FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy and online.

Interpretation in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish will be available.

 

Objectives

The event “High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on WASAG” will:

1. Enhance collaboration among FAO Member Nations and mobilize commitments to make WASAG more impactful and effective;
2. Agree on key WASAG operating mechanisms for efficient delivery; and
3. Highlight the priorities in addressing water scarcity in agriculture, strengthening the connections between the agriculture and water sectors.

 

Expected outcomes

1. Agreed priorities for WASAG for the period 2025–2031, in support of the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031;
2. Endorsement of the WASAG governance/operating mechanisms; and
3. Adoption of the Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture.

 

Draft agenda

Thursday, 17 October 2024 (CEST)

14:00 – 14:50	Opening Ceremony Introduction by the Moderator Cultural performance Opening Remarks by Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Opening remarks by Dr. José Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde Remarks by Ministers of long-standing supporting countries to WASAG Video on water scarcity in agriculture
14:50 – 15:30	Establishment of the country-led Steering Committee of WASAG Proposal of the establishment of the new WASAG Steering Committee Proposal of the nomination of the Steering Committee Vice- Chairpersons Dialogue and discussion on the proposals Conclusion by the Chair
15:30– 15:55	The Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture Presentation of the draft Declaration Dialogue and discussion on the proposal Adoption of the Declaration
15:55-16:30	Roadmap towards a WASAG Strategy for 2025-2031 Introduction of the roadmap Dialogue and discussion Conclusion by moderator
16:30 – 16:45	Dates and venues of next meetings Proposal of the date and venue of the 3rd WASAG International Forum 2025 Date of the First Plenary Assembly of WASAG (2026) at FAO headquarters Discussion and conclusion
16:45 – 17:00	Closing Ceremony Closing remarks by Dr. José Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde Closing Remarks by Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO