Water Security Forum

The Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO) is a specialized organization affiliated with the League of Arab States that promotes administrative development, networking and the exchange of knowledge in the Arab region through the design and delivery of learning programs for development stakeholders (policymakers, civil servants, think tanks, business and civil society leaders, etc...).

A forum on "Water Security" will be organized by ARADO during the period December 28-30, 2009 in Aqaba, Jordan. We would like to encourage your participation as a speaker (for one session) to contribute and guide the development of a long term vision on water security.

The forum discusses water security as one of the leading critical issues faced by the Arab region in the 21st Century: an issue exacerbated by conflict on hegemony over water resources in the region, a widening water poverty line and the increasing demand for water by a swelling Arab population.

Mainly as a result of the widening gap between supply and demand, and disputes over water appropriation among Arab states, water security has emerged as a potential trigger for political and military conflicts. The adoption of water pricing policies as proposed by Turkey, Israel and Nile Basin countries and endorsed by FAO and the World Bank impinges on water, food and national Arab security.

This forum signals a warning against current and potential water crisis and examines their social, economic and political implications on the Arab region and the World. It seeks to present an analytical and strategic perspective on water crisis in the Arab region in light of its evolution, cause and negative implications.

Objectives:

• Examine and analyze water resources in the Arab region.
• Examine and analyze the impact of climate change on water resources.
• Identify Arab water security challenges.
• Examine Arab water security conflicts.
• Assess the efficiency of Arab water treaties and legislations in managing, regulating and utilizing common water resources.
• Formulate recommendations and mechanisms to support efforts in maintaining Arab water security.

 The following topics will be discussed in the forum:

• The negative impact of climate change on water resources.

• The role of water resources management in preserving Arab water security.

• Examination and analysis of water resources in the Arab region.

• Conflict of neighboring and downstream countries over Middle East water resources.

• Arab water treaties and conventions with neighboring and downstream countries and the role of International Law in regulating common water resources.

• Economic analysis of water resources: the gap between supply and demand.

• Legal and political analysis of water crisis in the Arab region.

• The impact of Arab Water legislations on Arab water security.

Kindly indicate the topic of interest to cover during your session. ARADO will be in charge of your travel and accommodationTargeted Participants

Targeted Participants
• Arab Ministries of Water.
• Arab Ministries of Energy.
• Arab Ministries of Planning and Economy.
• Arab Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation.
• Arab Ministries of Environmental Affairs.
• Officials working in the water resources management sector in Arab States.
• Officials working in tourism and industry sectors.
• Think-tanks, research institutes and NGOs..Deadline for Submitting Papers

For those wishing to contribute to forum topics, please send an abstract paper not exceeding (250) words, no later than December 1st, 2009. Participants with papers accepted by the Scientific Committee will receive a discount of 25% of participation fees.