Serge R. Nakouzi *

22 March (2 Farvardin) marks World Water Day. The theme selected for this year's World Water Day is "Water for Sustainable Development". At a time when many countries in the world and notably those in this region are increasingly afflicted by water scarcity due to the escalating challenges of climate change, focus by the global community on this theme assumes a particular significance.

This theme seeks to highlight not only the importance of the role of water resources in development but also the need to safeguard the sustainable management of this vital natural resource in order that the pursuit of development to meet our present requirements does not compromise the ability of future generations to secure their own needs.

Any development initiative which pollutes water resources, decreases the natural capacity of water storage in underground aquifers or lakes and wetlands, or disrupts the natural water balance of a basin, can be a threat to water resources systems sustainability. Pursuing development activities in an unsustainable manner can have other dire consequences such as significantly affecting the water supplies to different water users, increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters such as land subsidence and dust storms, and ultimately giving rise to food insecurity within nations.

Since Iran is geographically located in an arid and semi-arid region, it is therefore naturally endowed with limited water resources. Population growth in the larger cities coupled with the progressive development of the country's agricultural sector to meet increasing demands and the expansion of its industrial sector in areas with high water stress have contributed in part to the imposition of significant pressure on the available surface and groundwater resources. Climate change and consecutive droughts have further contributed to exacerbate the vulnerability of Iran's water resources systems.

Water loss reduction and improved efficiency in water use in the different sectors require technologies adaptable to local climate conditions. The unique historical bastion of knowledge residing within the country as a result of thousands of years of development work in water extraction, transfer, and consumption technologies certainly constitutes a good starting point to address the challenges of water scarcity facing us today. Nevertheless, this knowledge should be complemented by additional capacity building for the application of advanced technologies and strategies for water consumption and management that are suitable for climate change adaptation.

Similar to other countries located in this region, Iran uses over 90% of its water resources for agriculture. Whilst commendable efforts are being undertaken to enhance food production and ensure better quality food to more people than ever before, it is of the utmost importance that measures be taken to make sure that the realization of these objectives not be done at the expense of the available water resources and of the health of the ecosystems they sustain. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing a Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity that contributes to improving the governance and management of water for more efficient, transparent and equitable use of water for agriculture. The Water Scarcity Initiative supports intensification models that are clean and resource-efficient and raises the productivity of water across the domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. The initiative has yielded notable results in optimizing the efficiency in the use of water in agriculture in several countries of the region.

As we embark onto the New Persian Year of 1394, we should mobilise all of our collective efforts to address the overshadowing scourge of water scarcity. FAO stands ready to assist the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in addressing this top priority and in assisting the nation to produce more food while using less water, build resilience to cope with droughts and apply clean water technologies that protect the environment.

* Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to the Economic Cooperation Organization