The signing of two cooperation agreements in the management of water resources and climate change

The Arab Water Council will sign two cooperation agreements in the areas of water resources management and climate change on the sidelines of the fifth session of the Arab Water Council, in the framework of the water and food security and sustainable development of the Arab peoples.

Dr Mahmoud AbuZayd, chairman of the Arab Water Council and former Minister of Irrigation, said Thursday that the two agreements were intended to establish and strengthen cooperation among partners in order to improve water efficiency. exchanging knowledge, skills and competences to face the challenges facing the Arab countries, has been abruptly reduced by 20% due to high temperatures by the end of the century and increased losses due to increasing evaporation.

He added that the first agreement included the launch of the first phase of the activities of the Facility for the links between climate change and its goals for sustainable development, water security and food security and vulnerability. in Arab countries, in the framework of cooperation between the United Nations Development Program, the League of Arab States, the Arab Water Council and the United Nations Development Program. environment, United Nations Human Settlements Program, World Food Program and United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction.

Under this agreement, a multi-phased program will be launched to support climate work at the regional and national levels, taking into account capacity building for adaptation to fragile and vulnerable communities in the Arab region.

The partners will also strengthen the capacity of regional and national institutions to align effectively with the Sustainable Development Goals and integrate climate change considerations into program and policy implementation.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Abdel Ati, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mr. Murad Wehbe, UN Under-Secretary-General, UNDP Regional Director for the Arab States, as well as representatives of other partners and Egyptian and participating ministers.

The second agreement will be jointly signed by the Arab Water Council and the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) in the areas of water resources management and water and wastewater expansion. The use of non-traditional water resources, including the treatment, management and governance of groundwater.

The agreement aims to monitor the effects of climate change, including social and economic impacts, mitigation and adaptation considerations, capacity building for young researchers and professionals, and to encourage the use of science and technology. technology in integrated management, "said Dr. Hussein Al-Atifi, secretary-general of the Arab Water Council and former Minister of Irrigation. Water resources.

One of the most important provisions of the Convention was to strengthen the interdependence of the water, energy and food systems, the management of big data, and the use of water. Use of the latest information and communication technologies in agro-ecosystems.

In this context, both parties agreed to cooperate to mobilize resources and fund joint projects in the field of water management, exchange information and documents and encourage invitations to attend conferences and workshops. organized by both parties.

Mr. Waleed Abdulrahman, Vice President of the Arab Water Council, said the Council always sought to strengthen cooperation with various bodies, including the environment, agriculture, research organizations and organizations involved in the integrated management of water resources, reuse of wastewater and natural resources and the provision of information to individuals and organizations working in the sectors. Water at the national and regional levels and transfer of expertise and experience to the Arab region.

He explained that since its inception, the Council has also sought to bring together all the good and serious voices and to provide a forum for all laudable and commendable efforts to achieve the goals of good governance in management and use. water resources and Arabic and to build the leadership capacity required for policy and resource management and negotiation with neighboring countries, as well as technologies by Arab, regional and international governments and organizations in the region.