EMWIS Flash N°77, February 2010

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The MED Working Group on Water Scarcity and Drought (WS & D) met on the 17/02/2010 in Madrid (Spain) in parallel with a meeting of the EU expert group of the WFD Common Implementation Strategy on the same issue and back to back with an international conference. The meeting highlighted the interest of the Med Joint Process for the exchange of experiences and the necessity launch a new phase for the next 3 years. The participants reviewed potential indicators for various purposes (e.g. ex post assessment, operational management, early warning) and agreed on analysing the data availability in their country for the elaboration of such indicators. To go a step further a data collection process with quality check and preparation of indicators is to b carried-out in 2 non EU pilot river basins that took part in WFD activities during the previous phase of the Joint Process: Sebou (Morocco) and Litani (Lebanon). This exercise is  carried out using the approach and tools developed by the European Environment Agency and customised for the targeted regions. The group will produce a leaflet presenting its results by June 2010. The importance of linking indicators development with simulation models and Decision Support System was also addressed, in particular for implementing participatory processes with the end-users (e.g. for management plan). Further information on EMWIS website.

3- With the support of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, EMWIS has prepared a Mediterranean geo-catalogue of metadata on water data resources compliant with the WISE metadata guidelines and subsequently with INSPIRE implementing rules on metadata and related ISO standards. Following the expert workshop on metadata management held in Nice in June 2009, an open registration service has been set up through a web interface, so any organization managing water related data declare and characterize its own resources (e.g. datasets, spatial information, annual report, web site) and even provide public or private access to its data. Such repository is a valuable tool for building a shared (spatial) data infrastructure and to avoid duplication in data collection. Even dataset collected by projects on a limited geographical area and for a limited timeframe can be declared. Access the catalogue on EMWIS website and follow the guidance to declare or discover existing resources.

4- The implementation phase of the National water information system in Tunisia -SINEAU- is now starting, with a national seminar organised to be held in Tunis on 18 March 2010 with the support of EMWIS and the European Commission. With a budget of more than 3 MEuros, SINEAU is a major tool of the 2nd Investment Plan for the Tunisian water sector (PISEAU II), especially for monitoring and assessment of the various activity foreseen as well as for the environmental impact of this plan. SINEAU implementation budget comes from a grant from the African Water Facility and a coordinated loan from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency. SINEAU follows the approach of a Shared Information System, integrating several sectoral sub-systems and responding to the needs of various institutions. An agreement between 5 ministries is under signature to allow data sharing by various services. The data harmonisation is also a key part of this system, the preparatory activities carried out by EMWIS on the UN water accounting and EU WISE (Water Information System for Europe) standards will also ensure that SINEAU will be able to communicate, when appropriate, with International systems such as a Mediterranean Water Knowledge Hub. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will discuss and define the role of civil society organisations in the EU and the Mediterranean region, during its 460^th plenary session on 17 and 18 February in Brussels. A press release said the several ESC presidents from Euromed countries visiting the EESC would contribute their views and suggestions for incorporating civil society in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The debate will witness interventions by External Relations section president, Filip Hamro-Drotz and An Le Nouail Marlière, Euromed Follow-Up Committee President. The Session agenda will also include specific opinions on this topic, such as agriculture in Euromed and EU-Moroccan relations. Another opinion on the agenda sets out arrangements for information storing and sharing in order to effectively combat VAT fraud. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- Morocco will host the next session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) in January 2011. This decision was taken recently by the members of the Assembly who elected also Moroccan Mohamed Boudra, president of Taza-Alhouceima-Taounate region (Northern Morocco), as ARLEM's co-president. The choice of Morocco to host the ARLEM next session stems from the leading role played by the north African Kingdom in consolidating the relations between the two shores of the Mediterranean. The idea of setting up ARLEM came up during the establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean at the 2008 Paris Summit. The Assembly consists of equal numbers of local and regional representatives from the EU Member States and countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean rim. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- For 7 years, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya have been working on the implementation of a common mechanism of consultation on the shared Aquifer System: "North-Western Sahara"-SASS-. This mechanism is now a reality, a very ambitious 3rd phase -SASS III- was launched in Tunis on 29-30 January 30, 2010. The overall objective of the SASS III project is the development of operational recommendations for the consultation mechanism of the shared aquifer managed by the water authorities of the three countries. This new phase coordinated by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and co-financed by the French Fund for Gobal Environment (FFEM-€ 500k) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF - 960 kUSD) with contributions from the 3 countries and the OSS. It follows on the geoaquifer (co-financed by the Facility for African Water) which ended in December 2009 and helped develop a digital elevation model, maps of land use between 1990 and 2000 through the processing of satellite images provided by ESA. SASS III focuses on the socio-economic aspects related to the exploitation of the aquifer and the exchange of experiences from pilot demonstration units of agricultural production in true greatness. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- The EU's support to the Algerian NGO ‘Chlorophyle' in raising awareness about the protection the environment among residents of the town of Blida will be the highlighted in the next episode of the Eurojar TV series to be broadcast on Wednesday 17 February 2010 on the Lebanese channel LBC. The programme will show at 6.45pm local time and will focus on the work of the organisation in training animators whose role is to explain issues related to the environment to school pupils, young people and factory workers. The programme will be rebroadcast on Monday of the following week at 2.40pm on LBCI, as well as on the international broadcasting channels of LBC via satellite. The weekly Europa Jaratouna programmes are produced by Eurojar, one of 13 projects funded across the ENPI under EuropeAid's €19 million Regional Information and Communication Programme, which seeks to increase awareness and understanding among the citizens of the area, about the EU, its policies and relations with their countries. The Eurojar budget amounts to €1.5 million and the project will last for one year. As well as producing weekly programmes for LBC, the project publishes articles highlighting EU cooperation in L'Orient le Jour, Al-Hayat and Le Commerce du Levant. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- Tunisia is witnessing a rapid increase in population that is exceeding 10 million people, which led to more pressure on water resources. All you have to do is to go through the Majrada River, one of the biggest rivers in Tunisia, which crosses the country from the western frontiers (with Algeria) to the Mediterranean coast, to discover where many cities and towns are throwing their garbage. The work done by environmental protection agencies helped reduce the pollution caused by factories, the main pollutant agent of the Majrada River which pours out all its water, and the garbage, in the sea during the winter. In fact, the phenomenon of environment pollution is not confined to the Majrada valley. It concerns several areas of the country. But, through lack of money, the Tunisian authorities were unable of controlling sources of pollution, and had recourse to the European Union financial support and expertise. In 2007, the National Agency for Environment Protection (ANPE) developed a mechanism for coordination between committees concerned with water pollution, in order to strengthen their role and improve their means of control. In 2008, the ANPE acquired an itinerant laboratory for inspecting the level of water pollution in Northern areas, in addition to a laboratory established in the area of “Mrouj”, south of Tunis. These two laboratories became a logistic base for conducting surveillance operations. Except that two additional laboratories are needed in order to cover the center and the south of the country. Thanks to the EU support, Tunisia was able to buy these laboratories and provide training sessions for local employees on water pollution analysis issues, within a plan drawn up by Tunisians under the title of "COPEAU", a French acronym that stand for "Network of water pollution control". Further information on EMWIS website.

12- Optimizing water resources in northern Syria; in the region of Aleppo and Latakia and improve the quality, is the purpose of the project, labeled at a congress of the Union for the Mediterranean in Lyon (France) in late November 2009, in which the EIB seems interested. The Regional Council of Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur (PACA) will fund the first missions. The issue of water in Syria is more than difficult. The resources come from rivers that flow either from Turkey or Lebanon. Furthermore, secure supply of the country is more diplomatic than technical. Syria has 21 million inhabitants and will be 30 in 2020. The water consumption is 900 m3 per year per person, while the country receives only an average per year of 1 000 mm of precipitation. In addition, urban growth captures an increasing share of this resource and waste water are particularly polluted. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- The program of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s member states for the reconstruction of Gaza Strip approved to finance projects worth a total of $ 164 million in the Strip. This came at the conclusion of the first meeting of the program, which was held recently at the headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah. Projects approved by the Coordinating Committee for the first generation of the program for 2010 includes sectors of health, education, water & sanitation, electricity, transportation, agriculture, housing and municipal services. During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding between the Coordinating Committee of the program and the Islamic Development Bank was signed under which the Committee will implement the reconstruction projects in the framework of the program. It is worth mentioning that the Program was created immediately after the recent attack on Gaza, The financing of the Projects is part of US$ 1.6 Billion package that was approved by the GCC member countries to reconstruct the Gaza Strip. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- The construction of a desalination plant designed to supply 50 million m3 of water annually to the Palestinians in the West Bank is again questioned. According to sources within the National Authority for water in Israel, building the plant near the town of Hadera, about 45 kilometers from the capital Tel Aviv, could damage the coastal aquifer: "If a pipe breaks this will cause permanent damage to the aquifer". Israel requests to find an alternative site could delay the construction for several years, analysts said. Israel does not finance the project and is not involved in its construction, but the country is responsible for assigning the field, according to the Joint Committee on Israeli-Palestinian water. Desalination is a major thrust of Israeli policy on water: the country is already operating two large factories and built others. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar underlined recently the importance of rationalising water consumption to overcome water scarcity in the Kingdom. He said water pumping and treatment operations cost the ministry large amounts of money and hinder the establishment of new water projects. Najjar indicated that water tariffs do not cover the maintenance and operational expenses of water stations, stressing that the government currently has no plans to increase the prices. The minister called on the public and private sectors to increase cooperation in implementing water projects. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- The Ministry of Water and Irrigation plans to explore new surface water resources and build two dams in the southern governorates of Maan and Tafileh, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar said recently. In a press statement released last January, he underscored the importance of sound use of underground water to prevent its depletion and exploring unconventional water resources, such as water treatment projects in Jerash, Husban and Maan. The minister underscored the need to improve water supply and distribution and reduce water loss and illegal water use. Najjar also highlighted the private sector’s role in investing in water projects to raise the quality of services provided to the public. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- Jordan Times reported that a total of 40 trucks carrying pipes for the Disi Water Conveyance Project have arrived in Amman from Turkey recently. A source at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation said that "Another 40,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes of pipes are expected to enter the Kingdom over the next 3 months for the implementation of the project." The official said that the pipes which will be used to transfer water from the ancient Disi aquifer south of the capital are being stored at a warehouse in the Khan Zabib area, 20 kilometres south of the Queen Alia International Airport. To be carried out on a build operate transfer basis by the Turkish company GAMA, the project entails constructing 325 kilometre pipeline that will convey water from the ancient Disi aquifer to Amman. The project is estimated to use around 250,000 tonnes of steel pipes. The Disi project is expected to supply the capital with 100 million cubic metres of water annually. Mr Mohammad Najjar minister of water and irrigation of Jordan recently announced that digging of wells to access the Disi aquifer and the implementation of the project will commence soon. The project also entails digging 55 underground wells in the Disi aquifer to a depth of 500 metres. The water will be transferred to Amman via a pipeline which will pass through several water stations from Maan Tafileh Karak Madaba and finally to Amman. According to the source, more than 90% of construction work on the project's main offices in Mudawara, built over 5,500 square metre area has been completed. The price of 1 cubic metre of water generated from the Disi project went down from JOD 0.87 to JOD 0.74 after the government raised its stake in the project and steel prices fell on international markets. Water officials consider the Disi project as Jordan's first step towards achieving water security and the Jordan Red Sea Development Project as the Kingdom's long term solution to its acute water shortage. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- On December 28, 2009 JICA (President: Sadako Ogata), signed an agreement with the government of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, the Capital of Turkey, to provide a Japanese ODA loan for Ankara Water Supply Project for up to 26,826 million yen. Ankara Water Supply Project will construct the regulator and related water transmission facilities which are sourced from Gerede river (Gerede river is placed on 100 km northwest from Ankara). This project will respond to increasing demand for water in Ankara and improve the living environment for the residents in Ankara. The loan will be allocated to the construction of the regulator and related water transmission facilities. Out of annual rainfall of Turkey, which is 501 billion m³, 112 billion m³ is expected to be used as the water resources in the year 2030, thorough the development of water resources and the construction of the water supply facilities. However, at this moment, 36% water resources, 40.1 billion m³, is being consumed. As the demand for water rapidly increases by the influence of concentration of population and expansion of economic activities, the amount of water consumption has increased twice as much in the last 10 years , and citizens of Ankara have sometimes even experienced large-scale water stoppages. It is expected that the demand of water will continue to increase rapidly, so the water resource development and upgrading the water facilities are regarded as the urgent matter. In the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is mentioned that “to halve the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water”, and in the 5th World Water Forum Heads of State Appeal which was held at Istanbul in 2009, the statement has been announced that “Water resources cannot be managed without appropriate capacity and properly designed and maintained infrastructure. Thus, investment in these areas should be given the highest priority”. This project is consistent with the world wide policy for the water issues. In addition, the relationship between Japan and Turkey is expected to be strengthened further through the implementation of this project at the occasion of the “Japanese year in Turkey” (2010). Further information on EMWIS website.

19- The European Commission (EC) has launched three research projects focusing on Climate Change Impacts on Water and Security under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) in Egypt. A delegation press release said the EC has dedicated over €9 million to funding these projects involving 44 institutions from all over the world. The research consortiums include three Egyptian researchers from the Suez Canal University, Zagazig University and Environment & Climate Change Institute of the National Water Research Centre. The three projects form a cluster that focuses on investigating climate-induced changes on water resources and their impact on security in southern Europe and neighbouring countries. Because of its specific geographical and political situation, the Mediterranean area is particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity. Integrated research represents a key component of decision-making regarding adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts at local and regional levels. The research cluster is composed of two projects in natural science and one in social sciences. It includes studies on the Nile River basin, seeking to make significant progress on understanding of climate change impacts in this region, and to produce possible recommendations on adaptation or mitigation action plans. The three research teams will establish synergies among related scientific developments and work together to disseminate their findings to policy makers and other relevant stakeholders. The first meeting of the three research teams, held in Cairo in coordination with the EU Delegation to Egypt, involved about 50 participants from the projects, European Commission officials as well as representatives from Egyptian research institutes, universities and water management boards. It is expected that the projects will deliver scientific information that will be of direct use by policy-makers and stakeholders at EU, national and local levels in all areas studied by the projects, including Egypt. Further information on EMWIS website.

20- The European Union will offer €20 million to Egypt to promote research and innovation, according to an article on the website of the EU's Directorate-general for Research. The announcement was made by the Ambassador of the European Delegation in Egypt Marc Franco at the first Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Heliopolis, Egypt late January. The funds will be earmarked for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) programme that was established under the EC-Egypt bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 2007. According to RDI coordinator Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry: "With more than 200 exhibitors and 50 speakers representing diverse organisations from about 18 European and Mediterranean countries, the Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace offers a valuable platform for major science and innovation players to meet, network and further develop business ideas, projects and partnerships." Officials note that thanks to the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which has a €53 billion budget over a period of 7 years, the government in Egypt will have more opportunities to obtain money for research. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- Heavy rains and flash floods in the Sinai (Egypt) have left recently at least four people dead. The flood has damaged houses, roads, electricity lines, several harbours and the airport of Sharm-El-Sheikh. It has been the worst flash flood since 1994. The flash flood has been predicted two days in advance, by a computer-based flash flood early warning system. The early warning resulted in extra time to take action an spread the news for the competent authorities. Consequently, in the pilot test area around Nuweiba city (Wadi Watier, about 10.000 km²), no casualties have been reported. The early warning system allows to forecast the amount, timing and location of rainfall. Based on this simulation, the risk for flash floods is calculated and if needed, a warning is send to the competent Crisis and Disaster Management Centre. The early warning system has been developed under the FlaFloM project by a Belgian-Egyptian team. The team consists of the Egyptian Water Resources Research Insititute (WRRI), the Belgian consultancy company SORESMA and the Free University of Brussels. The project has been developed in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Gamal Salah El-Afandi (Al Azhar University, Cairo), the South Sinai Crisis and Disaster Management Centre and the municipality of Nuweiba City. The contract for the pilot area around Nuweiba City has a value of 800,000 Euro. 70% is financed by the European Commission (LIFE Fund) and 30% by Egypt. The early warning system has been in operation for only one month. In December 2009, the technology was presented in the presence of Dr. Mohamed Nasr el-din Allam, the Minister of Water and Irrigation and General Mohamed Hany Metwally, the Governor of South Sinai. In order to protect the whole Sinai and the Red Sea Coast, they expressed their interest to extend the current early warning system beyond the pilot region. The Sultanate of Oman also expressed interest for the technology. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- Egypt and Uganda have signed a US $4 million deal for water projects in Uganda to construct dams, wells and water harvesting facilities. The two countries will cooperate in water management to provide for the water needs of Ugandans all year round and drinking pools for farm animals. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The economic arguments for desalination on Egypt's eastern seaboard have proved decisive. Feasibility studies are set to kick off in early 2010. Egypt's Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development has announced a pipeline of desalination projects to be tendered by the country's PPP Central Unit from 2010 onwards. Three projects have so far been announced, with a total capacity of 130,000m3/d (see table). Although the procurement strategy has yet to be finalised, the PPP Central Unit has indicated to GWI that a build-own-operate-transfer model - consistent with that adopted for MHUUD's greenfield wastewater treatment projects - is a strong possibility. National Société Générale Bank is currently working on the syndicated loan to fund the first of those wastewater projects - the 100% privately owned New Cairo facility. The strategic decision to prioritise seawater desalination over increased supply from the River Nile to targeted coastal areas is due to the comparatively greater cost of conveying the Nile water. Hurghada, for example, is located at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, around 250km from the Nile. The PPP Central Unit is expected to launch due diligence procedures for the respective desalination projects in the first quarter of 2010. Moreover, the need to expand wastewater treatment in Egypt is more pressing than the drive to expand the potable water supply. Nevertheless, many companies will be watching with interest now that MHUUD has signalled its long-term intentions. Further information on EMWIS website.

24- The first French membrane waste water plant with direct discharge into the Mediterranean is a AQUA-RM ® station from Stereau built on the urban area of "Marseille Provence Métropole". "Marseille-Provence-Métropole" decided in February 2008 to build instead of the old station a new wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 5 800 eh. Lack of space and direct discharge into the Mediterranean sear requires an optimal quality treatment that led to the choice of AQUA-RM ®, the membrane compact solution marketed for nearly ten years by Stereau.  Further information on EMWIS website.

25- Saudi Arabia’s national science agency announced a new initiative to build solar-powered desalination plants to reduce water and energy costs by 40 percent, Arab News reports. Saudi Arabia uses 1.5 million barrels of oil per day at its plants, according to Arab News. But the solar-powered plants will help keep costs down. Prices for desalinated water have been trending upward in Saudi Arabia in recent years, said the Saudi Minister of Water and Electricity, Emirates Business reported. Saudi political leaders hope research from the initiative will position the country as a major producer of renewable energy. Research and development will be carried out by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology–-the national science agency–-and the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology. The initiative will be carried out in several stages, and the first plant will be a small, 30,000 cubic meter per day facility in Al-Khafji. In comparison, the Shoaiba 3 project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast is the world’s largest plant, producing 880,000 m³/d. During the initiative’s second phase, a 100,000 m³/d plant will be built. Eventually a network of plants across the country. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Governments in the Middle East must put aside political differences, rethink water management and revise strategy and policy in using water otherwise the region will face a dire future, scientists have warned at an international conference in Jordan. The 1-4 February Amman conference is entitled Food Security and Climate Change in Dry Areas. Scientists said the region can no longer afford to waste water, with global warming expected to exacerbate an already existing problem. Dozens of experts from around 30 countries are taking part in the conference organized by Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture, the National Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension, ICARDA and other partners. Oweis said water policies in the region do not give water the value it deserves, thus putting at risk strategic reserves for future generations. Eddie Bethel, head of ICARDA's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) unit, said: "The predictions for the near future are dire for the entire Mediterranean region. There is a significant increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation. For the medium future we can expect serious difficulty in the availability of water in improving agriculture in the region". According to a report entitled The Regional Impacts of Climate Change: An Assessment of Vulnerability, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), water shortages, already a problem in many countries of Arid Western Asia (including the Middle East), are unlikely to be reduced, and may be exacerbated, by climate change. Changes in cropping practices and improved irrigation could significantly boost the efficiency of water use in some countries. ICARDA's Oweis called on individual countries to manage the little water they have in a more efficient way. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, on Monday (February, 15, 2010), called for a master plan for water in the Middle East. In his keynote speech at the conference on "Water Security in the Middle East", in Montreaux, Switzerland, HRH said that discussions on the carrying capacity and recovery capacity in the region should be based on public policies which take into consideration the elements of human integration. His Royal Highness stressed the need for a regional Community of Water and Energy for the Human Environment, a supra-national concept, such as the coal and steel community out of which the European Economic Community grew. HRH hopes that such a concept may initiate West Asiaâ€"North Africa cooperation and bring benefits comparable to European integration. HRH said that it is time to establish a third sphere of partnership between governments, private sector and civil society in order to mobilize the "silenced majority" and enable them to become shareholders of their future. HRH warned that the world’s dry areas will be severely affected by climate change, putting at high risk agricultural production, food security and human livelihoods in these already vulnerable areas; stressing that urgent coordinated efforts are essential to both develop effective climate change adaptation strategies and mitigation measures. The conference is an initiative launched by Strategic Foresight Group and supported by the governments of Switzerland and Sweden. The objective is to find sustainable and collaborative solutions to the problem of water security and to explore the use of water as an instrument of peace in the Middle East. Further information on EMWIS website.

28- The “Euromed Programme on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters” PPRD South team is preparing the first training workshop on “Geographic Information Systems for Civil Protection” which is scheduled for 9-12 March 2009 in Rome. An important component of the PPRD South Programme is the setting up of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which will be used to produce national and regional interactive risk maps. A risk map is a model that combines the degree of exposure to hazards, calculated on the basis of historical disaster records, with the key elements of a community, such as the distribution of population, strategic infrastructures, natural resources, and potentially dangerous areas (subject to floods, fires, landslides, volcanoes, etc.). To this topic the Programme will devote three seminars. In the first seminar, participants will be introduced to GIS concepts and will be provided with methodologies and tools for the construction of the PPRD South Web GIS and for the exchange and sharing of data at national and regional level. The 28 participants to the training workshop will learn how to set up and populate the GIS database, they will also acquire methodologies for editing, retrieving and analysing geospatial data. All this will permit PPRD South Partner countries to adopt and possibly develop advanced IT tools which could support the definition of proper prevention policies. The availability of these tools will also bring the national Civil Protection systems of these countries closer to the European Civil Protection Mechanism and, in case of disasters, will allow them to cooperate in the best possible way. Further information on EMWIS website.

29- Within the African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development (AMESD) project, a contract was kicked off at the beginning of January this year, aiming to replace the 52 EUMETCast stations, called PUMA stations, already deployed and to install 47 new EUMETCast stations, called AMESD stations. This activity will secure the operational access of African countries to EUMETSAT data and improved data processing for various meteorological applications as well as provide effective access to environmental data and products. Launched in 2007, the African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development (AMESD) project, funded by the European Union under the European Development Fund programme, is the precursor of the extension of GMES to Africa. Scheduled to run to 2012, AMESD is managed by the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first AMESD Forum took place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on 1-4 December 2009, on the theme "Towards a Pan African Partnership and Networking for the monitoring of the Environment by Satellite in Africa". Further information on EMWIS website.

30- During a public water forum at Norman City Hall, a water expert with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) said recycled water is a better option than desalinated brackish water to meet future needs, The Norman Transcript reported. John Harrington, director of ACOG's Water Resources Division, said that treating brackish water, which is 10 times saltier than seawater, is much more expensive than recycling wastewater, according to the story. Harrington also talked about the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, which underlies Norman, saying that the Oklahoma Legislature has agreed to fund a study that will end the practice of issuing temporary permits to draw water out of the aquifer, the article stated. Further information on EMWIS website.

31- Based on the positive results of the EU Strategy in the Baltic Sea Region, the EU is planning its second "macro-regional" strategy, dedicated this time to the Danube Region. On 21 January this year the European Parliament adopted a resolution on such a strategy, expressing, among others, its concerns about the ecological status of the region and the need to employ new technologies for enhancing forecasting and response capabilities in cases of natural disasters and accidental pollution. A few days later, on 2 February, the Commission launched a consultation process with interesting stakeholders, with a view to formally adopt the proposed strategy in December 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

32- In the last two years, UN Water and GWP have conducted studies to assess progress made in IWRM planning and implementation. The UN Water global assessment includes case studies with many illustrations of the tangible benefits of the IWRM approach. For example, in the Liao River Basin in China, various reforms have been implemented which include the establishment of a broad institutional framework, the adjustment of water prices and the establishment of a monitoring network. This contributed to the reduction of pollution loads by 60% and reduced upstream-downstream conflicts. In Chile, macro-economic policies to improve cost recovery have caused household water consumption to fall by 10%, while some sectors (such as mining, agriculture and wood pulp production) have gone beyond national requirements and agreed to clean production programs accepted globally. The mining sector has increased the efficiency of its water use threefold over the last 20 years, while water use in wood pulp production has fallen by 70% per ton produced. Further information on EMWIS website.

33- The project Twin2Go reviews, consolidates, and synthesises research on integrated water resources management in basins around the world. The aim is to draw policy relevant results on issues around adaptive water governance in the context of climate change and to make them transferable to other basins. Twin2Go further promotes sharing of research results with practitioners and high level decision makers through effective dialogue. Twin2Go is a Coordinating Activity funded under the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme from June 2009 until May 2011. It is coordinated by Prof. Claudia Pahl-Wostl, University of Osnabrueck, Germany. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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34- The International Executive Council of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) elected Dr. László Hayde as Vice President for the period 2009-2012. Hayde will be responsible for maintaining contacts and initiating cooperation between the National Committees of ICID member countries in Europe. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- Yannick d'Escatha was appointed President of CNES, the French space agency, for a 3rd term. Further information on EMWIS website.

36- LTSI seeks national and international consultants in Integrated Water Resource Management: LTSI, a Scottish based, employee owned international consultant company, with offices in Edinburgh and Nairobi and over 35 years international experienced in sustainable development and natural resource management has recently expanded its staff resources in the water sector. Having won a number of highly innovative projects world-wide LTSI now wishes to contact potential professional consultants from the water sector to take an active role ion the further development of their activities. They would like to hear from qualified and experienced national and international consultants in the areas of project management, water resources, river basin management, climate change adaption and particularly individuals with interdisciplinary skill related to water. Further information on EMWIS website.

37- ESA call for proposals are now open: support to young researchers: ESA is again offering young scientists the opportunity to undertake innovative research projects aimed at advancing the understanding of the Earth system, with a call for proposals for the Changing Earth Science Network initiative. This initiative, launched last year, supports European postdoctoral scientists for two years to undertake innovative research projects that address specific scientific challenges outlined in ESA’s science strategy for Earth observation (EO). The strategy, drafted in collaboration with the scientific community, outlines the 25 major scientific challenges faced today in which EO may provide key contributions to understand better the interacting components of the Earth system, how they are affected by changes our planet is undergoing and, at the same time, how they are impacting the overall Earth system. The new call for proposals was issued on 29 January. From the proposals received, up to 10 postdoctoral scientists from Member States will be selected. The deadline for the proposal submission is 29 March 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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50- "ENPI-MED CBC: call for strategic projects announced": The Joint Management Authority announced that the call for proposal on strategic projects for Cross-Boarder Cooperation in the Mediterranean will be launched during the second semester 2010. These projects will involve a minimum of four partners representing four different countries, of which at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Their budget range from a minimum of € 2 million up to a maximum of € 5 million. Budget announced for this call about € 37 million. Water management will be one of the priority topics with 2 sub-themes: i) Quantity and quality of supply, with a focus on alternative water supplies and wastewater re-use; ii) Efficient use of water resources, with a focus on agricultural use. The following partner countries have signed a Financing Agreement with the European Commission : - Egypt - Israel - Jordan - Lebanon - Palestinian Authority - Syria - Tunisia. These countries are now fully eligible to receive Programme funds. All the Financing Agreements have been countersigned by the Joint Managing Authority. Further information on EMWIS website.

51- Service forecast notice for Support Mechanism for sustainable water management and Mediterranean de-pollution programme: A restricted individual service contract forecast for the Support Mechanism for the Sustainable Water Management and De-Pollution of the Mediterranean programme has been announced by EuropeAid, under the publication reference EuropeAid/129399/C/SER/MULTI. The purposes are: to draw the attention of Mediterranean Partner Countries' decision-makers and stakeholders to existing and forthcoming threats to water resources, to the necessity to adopt a more appropriate water consumption and water use model, as well as to the existence of solutions to tackle the problem; to support Partner Countries in designing and implementing sustainable water management policies at national and local levels, in liaison with existing international initiatives in the area concerned; to contribute to ensuring institutional reinforcement and the development of the necessary planning and management skills, in line with Horizon 2020 objectives, and facilitate transfer of know how. These project purposes will be pursued with a view to addressing the four interlinked issues referred to in the new Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean: water governance, water and climate change, water financing and water demand management. The indicative maximum budget, funded under the ENPI South programme, is €7 million. Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 April 2010 (16:00), Central European Time. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- "Water competitions for all" call for projects: For the second consecutive year, the SUEZ ENVIRONMENT Foundation - WATER FOR ALL, based at the Institute of France, launched the competition "Water for All". It aims to develop projects promoting the improvement, development and professionalization of urban services of water and sanitation in developing countries. Two prizes will be awarded in May 2010 in Paris: - Grand Prize, awarded a sum of 100 000 EUR, - Special Prize, awarded a sum of 30 000 EUR. The call for applications is open till December 15, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

53- Algeria: Call for proposals for twinning "Strengthening the capacity of the Algerian des Eaux (ADE EP) to improve its quality control of water distributed by networks". The overall objective of the twinning is to contribute to improving public health in Algeria and quality of water distributed. The specific objective is to strengthen the capacity of Algerian  des Eaux (ADE EP) to improve the quality of water distributed through its networks. Maximum project duration: 18 months. Total amount available for this call for proposals: EUR 900,000. The deadline for receipt of proposals to match the contracting authority by the national contact points is set for March 15, 2010 at 18:00 local time. Further information on EMWIS website.

54- Two Requests for proposals (RFPs) were published by the Joint Programme for Adaptation to Climate Change in Jordan project, administered by UNDP in partnership with WHO, FAO and UNESCO and impelmeneted by MoWI, MoE, MoA, MoE and MoH. The two consultancies required are: 1) Assessment of Direct and Indirect Impacts of Climate Change scenarios on water availability and quality in the Zarqa River Basin; 2) Development of Adaptation Measures to Climate Change and Formulation of Needed Strategy Implementation Plan Relevant to Climate Change and IWRM for the Zarqa River Basin.
The deadline for application is March 21st. Further information on EMWIS website.

55- The European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) have agreed to establish a new Water Facility under the 10th European Development Fund (2008-2013). This second Water Facility has been endowed with €200 million. There are 3 components:
Component 1:  €110 million for projects selected through a Call for Proposals entitled "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion for the Millennium Development Goals";
Component 2: €40 million for projects selected through a Call for Proposals entitled "Partnerships for Capacity Development in the ACP Water and Sanitation Sector";
Component 3: €40 million for a Pooling mechanism to co-finance medium-size water and sanitation infrastructure projects with other European donors and development financing institutions. The call for proposals for the first component "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion for the Millennium Development Goals" was launched on 11th February 2010.
- this call for proposals is open to ACP and EU Non-State Actors (NSAs), ACP/EU local authorities and international organisations;
- Size of grants: a minimum and maximum amount of €500,000 and €2,500,000 respectively.  No grant may exceed 75% of the total eligible costs of the project 
- Project duration: 36 to 60 months
- the deadline to submit proposal is on 2nd June 2010 (short concept note and full application form are submitted together à Call has one step)
- the guidelines of the call, the applicant form and other annexes are available online.
Further information on EMWIS website (see also this call, Call for Proposals "Partnerships for Capacity Development in the ACP Water and Sanitation Sector"; deadline: 06/10/2010)

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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TRAINING
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61- CAS Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Call for registration. Participants will be trained to consider water-related problems from an integrated and global point of view, derive and discuss possible solutions and propose potential activities in a local context. They will improve their management and monitoring skills with regard to water projects in Developing and Transition Countries. Registration deadline: 14th May 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.