March 16 The General Assembly of the "Arab Water Council" opens with the participation of 25 countries

The meetings of the General Assembly of the Arab Water Council will be held in Cairo on March 16, with the participation of representatives from 25 Arab countries.

Mr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council and former Minister of Irrigation, confirmed that at the General Assembly, the "Governors" elections would be held for the new session 2019-2021, which includes 45 seats, of which 20 will be directly elected, 22 seats to be named according to their designation by their governments and their official authorities in the Arab countries.

The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Aati, a number of Arab ministers, more than 400 council members, representatives of Arab governments, ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions in Cairo, representatives of regional and international organizations and representatives of the community. Civil society organizations, public figures, writers, intellectuals and media professionals.

During the meeting, Abu Zeid explained that this would be done during the meetings and would discuss a number of main axes and a sub-plan of action of the Arab Council of water according to the priorities and recommendations adopted by the Fourth Arab Water Forum held in Cairo last November, as well as preparations for the organization of the Fifth Arab Forum on Water. . Exchange views and experiences in the context of achieving water security and sustainable development goals in the Arab region.

In addition, the decisions taken at the previous General Assembly, such as the promotion of cooperation and sustainable solutions for sharing water resources, and the development of Arab water capacity, will be reviewed. through the promotion of dialogue and the exchange of experiences and the implementation of specialized training programs (water diplomacy, negotiation skills and mechanisms). Establish an Arab network for knowledge exchange between Arab riparian countries in shared river basins and the creation of a think tank (Thinking group) Resolving disputes and strengthening cooperation in the field of common water resources management in Arab countries.

The members of the Board of Governors will participate in the development of the Council's strategies and action plan for the next three years (2019-2021) through three working groups, namely the Working Group. on the activation of the role of the members, the revitalization of the workforce and the obtaining of sustainable financing for the activities and programs of the Council, Works of preparation and implementation of the technical programs and activities of the Council and the working group for the preparation of forums and conferences.

For his part, Mr. Hussein Al-Atfy, Secretary General of the Arab Water Council and former Minister of Irrigation, said that the Board of Governors is the supreme body of the Arab Council of Water and is responsible for defining the detailed policies of the Council, taking organizational and executive decisions, to ensure the proper functioning of the Council. The other council, whose members are elected every three years.

Three major technical sessions will be organized during the General Assembly: the first will review indicators of the state of water in the Arab region and its relationship with sustainable development and the second on the use of modern technologies and remote sensing techniques for the management of water resources for sustainable agriculture. Internationale.

The third session will review the main outcomes of the International Hydrological Program for Groundwater and Arid Water in cooperation with UNESCO and the latest in the Arab Water Council program to support regional efforts to develop water and sanitation. Use of non-traditional water to cope with the shortage of water and increased needs due to population growth. .

He pointed out that it would act as the thirteenth meeting of the initiative on the links between climate change and its relations with sustainable development, food and water security and social fragility in the countries Arab countries, which led to the signing of agreements in this regard. .