Together with the Arab Water Council, FAO Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Team Celebrates the Release of New Guidelines for the Use of Brackish Water.
On the occasion of Arab Water Day: Accelerating the Transformation to Overcome Water and Sanitation Challenges."
The launch of AWC and FAO new Guidelines for Brackish Water Use for Agricultural Production in The Near East and North Africa Region.
©AWC-Hossam Gebril
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 the Transformation to Overcome Water and Sanitation Challenges."
The event witnessed the presence of H.E. Dr. Hani Sweilem the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation in Egypt, and Ambassador Shahira Wahbi, the Chief of Natural Resources Sustainability & DRR at the League of Arab States.
The opening session of the ceremony was chaired by H.E Dr. Abouzeid, the President of the Arab Water Council. During the opening, Dr. AbdullHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General, stated in his remarks that the Arab region is facing a major challenge due to water scarcity, which is one of the critical issues related not only to development and stability, but also to the fate and future of its people. He also emphasized that Climate change, as well as prolonged conflicts and conflicts, exacerbate this problem. This is in addition to population growth and the acceleration of consumption patterns which necessitates increasing the efficiency and productivity of water use in all sectors and at all levels. He also stressed the role of the "Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (WSI) ," which works with development partners to assist countries in the region in dealing with water and food security challenges.
Moreover, during the event, Dr. Mohamed Al- Hamdi, a senior water and land officer at FAO-RNE presented the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (WSI) and highlighted in detail the role of the initiative in strengthening policy coherence and coordination between the water and agriculture sectors.
- Support to the Regional Collaboration Platform of the Water Scarcity Initiative to Increase Water Productivity
- Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (WSI)
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- Water scarcity: A priority issue for ministers and delegates convening in Rome-Audio