In a significant milestone towards the 37th Session of the Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC 37), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently concluded its Regional Technical Dialogue on Water, showcasing remarkable successes and advancements in sustainable water management. The event which was held virtually on the 25th of September, brought together experts, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across the region to discuss pressing water-related challenges and devise innovative solutions within the context of enhancing water use efficiency and productivity as a means of accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa region.

FAO and the UNCCD, are currently supporting the operationalization of national drought plans across several countries according to the principles of integrated drought management. Within the framework of a GEF project, FAO, UNCCD, IDMP, and WMO are organizing a regional workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of strengthening national and institutional frameworks and building capacities for the implementation of the national drought plans.

In a landmark development for gender equality and sustainable water management, the Arab Women Network for Water and Sanitation (AWNWS) was officially launched on August 16. The initiative, supported by regional and international organizations, aims to empower women in the Arab region to actively participate in decision-making processes related to water and sanitation.

The Arab Ministerial Council of the League of Arab States has scheduled a meeting with development partners and regional stakeholders on August 8, 2023, to discuss the most recent developments in the Arab Water Security Strategy Action Plan! Several representatives from NGOs, UN agencies, and international development partners attended the meeting, including RAED, Arab Water Council, UNESCWA, FAO, and UNESCO. 

FAO organized a national workshop on Agricultural Development through Remote Sensing Technologies in Libya in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Water Resources. This event was organized during the second day of the four-days Libya International Exhibition for Agricultural and Livestock Development and its Supplies that is an important opportunity to promote agricultural and animal production in Libya and raise awareness of the importance of these sectors in achieving economic and social development in the country. This important platform presented the latest technological developments, innovative products and services and showed the available capabilities in the agricultural sector in Libya.

Libya, 13–14 June 2023: The Ministry of Water Resources in Tripoli – Libya with the support of FAO office for Libya organized a national workshop training on gender equality and women’s empowerment. This course targets national and local female stakeholders working in the fields of water,...

At its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, the League of Arab States (LAS) hosted a Sectoral Meeting on "Cooperation in Climate Change" to discuss potential areas of collaboration in environmental and climate adaptation topics, between LAS and the United Nations (UN) and their specialized organizations.

On the occasion of Arab Water Day, FAO water scarcity Initiative Team (WSI) celebrated the launch of its new Guidelines for Brackish Water Use for Agricultural Production in The Near East and North Africa Region. The launch took place during a celebration organized by the Arab Water Council on the 29th of May, 2023 under the slogan " Accelerating transformation to Overcome Water and Sanitation Challenges."

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Australian Water Partnership launched a new publication on Managing Water Scarcity in the Asia-Pacific region. This publication provides a summary for policymakers outlining the dynamics and management of Asia-Pacific water scarcity.

Drought is the most harmful natural hazard for the people and the planet. Over the last 40 years, its impacts have affected more people than any other disaster, and the percentage of the planet hit by drought events has more than doubled. The new FAO Drought Portal is now online! The new FAO Drought Portal is a global knowledge-sharing platform for one-stop access to multiple resources to enhance the resilience of agriculture and improve food security

During the 6th Arab Water Week (AWW), which took place in Amman, Jordan, from March 5-7, 2023, under the title "Towards Agile and Smart Water Utilities," the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity organised a technical session on "Addressing Water Scarcity Challenges from Multiple Perspectives in the Arab Region.

In preparation for COP28, FAO Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Team attends a two-day workshop on the "Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Nexus with Agriculture under Climate Change." The workshop was organized by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in collaboration with Rothamsted Research on March 13th and 14th, 2023, at ICBA's headquarters in Dubai, UAE.

This webinar aimed to discuss current regional and national efforts in Advancing Water Action in the Arab Region toward accelerating the achievements of SDG6 with a special focus on Goal 6.4 on Sustainable Increase of Water-use Efficiency.

On the 23rd of March a special session titled " Water Finance in the Mediterranean"  was organized by: UfM, the European Commission, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, the Ministry of Equipment and Water of Morocco, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, OECD and EIB to share with other regions the progress made by UfM member states in enhancing the financial sustainability of water management.

Rome Water Dialogue Summary Report is now out, highlighting the need for country-led participatory processes and marking the successful launch of FAO's new Water Journey. The report emphasizes the role of cross-sectoral dialogue in enabling the reallocation of water between sectors and the removal of harmful subsidies where necessary.

The second module of the Water Governance Dialogue Series will start on 18 January 2023 titled “Key Water Governance Priorities and Insights for the Future”. Module 2 aims at opening the scope of water governance to other regions and networks to understand some of the dynamics at the global level and reflect on the way forward to strengthen water governance for people, the planet, and prosperity.

In recognition of its remarkable effort in serving the Water and Agriculture Sector in the MENA Region and beyond, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) "Water Scarcity Initiative Team" has been selected to receive the One FAO Team Award 2022!

The Water Scarcity Initia...

Water is one of the world´s most important resources. It is central to agriculture that accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, to other economic sectors and is core to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Help shaping the 2023 water-climate agenda, the...

CGIAR, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and The Rockefeller Foundation are collaborating to show how agrifood systems are part of the solution to the climate crisis under the first ever pavilion at the UN Conference of Parties dedicated to food and agriculture. 

Today (November 15th, 2022), WWF, IUCN, and TNC are hosting the Thematic Day 7 (TD7) at the COP27 Water Pavilion on “Water for Biodiversity and Nature Based Solutions”. TD7 Programme will include the following Sessions:

• Nature Based Solutions for Protection...