Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector

The 1st Arab Water Forum in Riyadh: WaDImena and partners participation

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

During the period from 16 to 19 November, the 1^st AWF was held at the King Fahd Cultural Centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , in conjunction with two other big events; the 3^rd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments, and the awards ceremony of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water. The Arab Water Council (AWC) is set to organize Arab Water Forums (AWF) every three years prior to the World Water Forums to become the most important inclusive water-related event at the regional level.

The objective of the AWFs is to mobilize all water stakeholders in the region, to identify priorities of water-related issues and define solutions that can successfully address regional and country specific water challenges. The AWF comes only four months before the 5^th World Water Forum (WWF5) that will be held in Istanbul on 16-22 March 09 with the main theme "Bridging Divides for Water". Hence, the AWF focussed on presenting and discussing the progress of the MENA/Arab Region's preparatory processes towards the WWF5, for which the AWC acts as the regional coordinator. The AWF in Riyadh comes as a step in the road to Istanbul.

WaDImena was involved in the preparations for the AWF, and has supported and contributed to the Forum as follows:

§         WaDImena organized a Water Demand Management (WDM) day where country experiences were shared and participants engaged in debates on the WDM critical issues and the way forward were very fruitful.
§         WaDImena supported six research team leaders of its funded applied research and pilot projects who presented the progress and findings of their projects through a poster session.
§         Dr. Hammou Laamrani, WaDImena project Coordinator, reported on the work done in the preparation of chapter 3 "Bridging the divides between the rich and the poor" of the MENA/Arab regional document.
§         Dr. Hammou also provided input to the different chapters of the regional document that will be presented at the WWF5, and also to the thematic process on theme 4 "Governance and Management". He also participated in developing the key messages that will be raised in the recommendations of the MENA/Arab Region to the Ministerial Declaration.

This effort builds on the WaDImena's continues contributions to the MENA/Arab Region preparatory process of the WWF5. The WWF5 preparation consists of thematic, regional and political processes which are integrated during the development of the Forum. The regional processes will produce regional documents that are fed by and that will feed the thematic and political preparatory processes and the discussions in the Forum.

WaDImena was -and still is- involved extensively in the MENA/Arab Region's preparatory process through providing significant technical and political input during preparatory meetings, engaging in the Forum blog and through e-mail exchanges. Dr. Hammou is one of 26 members in the regional consortium responsible for the region's contribution to the Forum. He is the lead author of chapter 3 of the regional report "Bridging the gap between the poor and the rich", which will be presented by the region at the Forum. He also participated in the series of regional preparatory meetings and events held during the past year, including the WWF5 Topic Coordination Meeting held in Istanbul in February 2008. WaDImena was able to engage in topic papers coordination in theme four on "Governance and Management" and contribute to the topic agenda through two topic coordination groups. Hammou had also participated in two preparatory meeting organized by the AWC in Egypt in March and June 2008. Through synergies with key partners in MENA and compilation of necessary information, WaDImena was able to facilitate ideas for IDRC and WaDImena's effective participation at the WWF5. In Stockholm , August 2008, and in Montpellier , September 2008, potential collaboration on the way to Istanbul WWF5 were discussed with key players and Forum organizers.

Access WaDImena presentations and research project posters presented at the AWF

Document(s)

poster-GICs in Tunisia - by A BelHassan 2008-11-16
Open file

poster-Greywater reuse in Jordan - by N AlHmoud 2008-11-16
Open file

poster-Greywater reuse in Lebanon - by Ghogassian 2008-11-16
Open file

poster-Wastewater reuse in Palestine - by M AbuMadi 2008-11-16
Open file

ppt-Bridging divides bet rich & poor - by H Laamrani S AbdDayem K AbuZeid M Hefny 2008-11-16
Open file

ppt-Challenges of WDM in MENA - by H Laamrani 2008-11-16
Open file

ppt-Theme 4 Governance and Management - by H Laamrani 2008-11-16
Open file

Morocco: Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

A study conducted by FAO together with the World Bank, the Morocco Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries and several other national institutions, assessed the impact of climate change on Moroccan agriculture toward the end of the 21st century.

The detailed study covers fifty crops, major agroecological zones, and several climate change scenarios. The first results of the study on the projected future agricultural production focus on:

Agricultural adaptation capacity
Uncertainties related to methodology
Future availability of crop varieties with higher water use efficiencies.

The approach adopted for the assessment of impact of climate change on crop yields is based on the experience of FAO in establishing and operating real time crop yield forecasting systems in a number of countries worldwide in a food security context. The study is the second phase of the project led by World Bank and the Morocco on the adaptation to climate change in the agriculture sector.

To download the presentation of the findings of the project carried-out at a side event during World Food Day in Rome, in French, click here.

Veolia-Mubadala Development Company partner for the North African market

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

The specialist in the services to the environment and the Emirati company of capital investment want to penetrate together the North-African market of collection and water treatment worn.

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

Thessaloniki Statement from IV TWM Symposium

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

The final output of the IV International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management held in October was the "Thessaloniki Statement" which was jointly prepared and approved by all participants, is available online.

Projected impacts of climate change on rainfed cereal production potential - Change in 2050 from 1961 - 1990 baseline

2008-12-01T00:00:00Z

The map presents impacts of climate change on rainfed cereal production potential in cultivated land (1992-1993) as well as for all land with production potential for rainfed cereals, based on the projected climatic conditions for each country averaged from three Global Climate Models (ECHAM4, HADCM2, CGCM1).

For detailed documentation see: IIASA/FAO "Global Agro-ecological Assessment for Agriculture in the 21st Century: methodology and Results", March 2002, pages 103-107 and 67-71. The values are percentage change in 2050s compared to 1961-90 baseline (value 2050s/value 1961-90)*100).

IUCN elects new president, Council

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

Members of IUCN celebrated on 13 October with the announcement of their new President and Council. Ashok Khosla from India will take over as IUCN President from Valli Moosa, who took up the post four years ago at the previous Congress in Bangkok. Ashok Khosla is Chairman of Delhi-based Development Alternatives, a social enterprise devoted to promoting commercially-viable, environmentally-friendly technologies for rural communities in the global South. He was earlier a director in the United Nations Environment Programme. Full details on the new President and Council are on the web here I West Asia Regional Councilors

West Asia Day at the Congress Water Pavilion

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

The top ten driest countries in the world are located in the West Asia region! This shocking fact is a driving factor for all countries in this region to elevate issues of water resource management to the international level. Therefore, IUCN West Asia/Middle East Regional Water Resources & Drylands Programme (REWARD) has organized a West Asia Water day at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. Five pioneering country projects were presented as case studies in river basins and watersheds in Palestine, Jordan (two projects), Egypt and Yemen. Those REWARD projects all encourage using the right methodologies and approaches through multi-stakeholder dialogues. IUCN's role is to facilitate the dialogue between all the stakeholders and build their capacities to come out with the logical solutions for all the challenges facing those areas. More details | REWARD Programme

IUCN calls for adopting the right methodologies and participatory approaches in Integrated Water Resources Management

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

Under the Patronage of HE Dr Mahmoud Abu Zeid President of the Arab Water Council and Egyptian Minister of Water & Irrigation, IUCN through its West Asia/Middle East Regional Office has held a Regional Dialogue on the Future of Ground Water in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region between 12-14 July, 2008 in Cairo. The Dialogue lead to a high level policy meeting where possible avenues for more sustainable use of ground water can be translated in long-term policies in participation with all stakeholders.

Future of Sustainability in the Arab Region

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

IUCN has marked World Environment Day by holding a regional debate on Future of Sustainability in the Arab Region on 12 June. In light of the global crisis in water, food and energy, Arab experts from governments, civil society, youth and private sector have gathered in Alexandria to discuss the issues. Special focus was given to the innovative solutions that are urgently needed to control the economical, environmental and social challenges facing the region today. More info
Download Report Arabic | English

IUCN: New Staff have been nominated

2008-12-02T00:00:00Z

Business & Biodiversity Officer

Majdi Salameh has joined IUCN WAME Regional Office in August 2008. He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. He has ten years of diverse practical experience in research, planning, programme and project cycle management, environmental monitoring and evaluation. More information

Finance & Administration Officer

Moath Hasan has joined IUCN WAME Regional Office as a Finance & Administration Officer in April 2008. He holds a BA in Finance & Banking from the Al Al-Bayt University in Jordan. Before joining IUCN, Moath worked as a Finance and Administration Manager in the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Jordan. More information

Zarqa River Restoration Project Coordinator

Mufleh Abbadi Joined IUCN WAME in July 2008. He Holds a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Engineering (Soil and Irrigation) from University of Mosel in Iraq. He has 13 years of extensive experience in the field of Integrated water resource management. More information

Palestine Project Office Manager, REWARD Programme
Sameera Rifai is managing the strategic development and implementation of IUCN REWARD Project in Marj Sanour area in Palestine. Sameera obtained her Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from Al Najah University in Palestine in 1990.
More information

Monitoring and Social Research Coordinator, REWARD Programme

Buthaina Mizyed has graduated from Faculty of Agricultural in Al Najah National University in Palestine specialized in Plant Production and Protection as well as in Environmental Studies. She a good experience in research, rural women extension and vegetable production. More information

Morocco: AfDB Approves 10th Drinking Water Supply Project

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved US$ 97.2 million (33.84 million Euros and 53.34 million dollars) loan to finance Morocco's 10th Drinking Water Supply Project, bringing the Bank Group's overall commitment in the country to US$ 5.64 billion in 93 operations since the Bank started operations in the country in 1970.

The project, approved by the Board of Directors on Wednesday in Tunis, builds on the success of Bank-financed projects and their significant contribution to the achievement of Morocco's drinking water supply and sanitation objectives. It aims at reinforcing drinking water production and supply systems of the towns of Khénifra, Taounate, Settat, Marrakech and Tamesna (Rabat-Casablanca coastal zone) , as well as those of neighbouring rural centres, with a view to improving the socio-economic and health conditions of Moroccans by providing drinking water supply to urban and rural centres.

The project will enhance and improve the quantity and quality of water supply for approximately three (3) million people as from 2010 and enable the National Drinking Water Authority (ONEP), as producer and distributor, and the autonomous state-owned companies as distributors, to meet the demand of the inhabitants of the area that are projected to reach five (5) million by 2030. Designed to meet the priority needs adopted by ONEP in its 2008-2010 Investment Plan, the project comprises five (5) operations to reinforce the drinking water production and supply system for areas where the drinking water supply systems will be saturated as from 2010.

The project is in conformity with the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) on the development and upgrading of infrastructure, and falls within the framework of the third focus area of ONEP's strategy concerning sustainability and protection of existing infrastructures. The Bank's 2007-2011 strategy in Morocco is based on three pillars: strengthening governance systems; development and upgrading infrastructure; and promoting of human development. The overall cost of the project is estimated at US$ 118 million. The AfDB loan accounts for 82.3% of the project costs. The remaining 17.7% of the costs will be provided by ONEP.
* 1 UA = US$ 1.48830 = â‚¬ 1.16665 = MAD 12.2964 as at 19/11/2008
CONTACT: Felix Njoku - Tel. : +216 71 10 26 12 - E-mail : f.njoku@afdb.org
http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200811200166.html

http://www.afdb.org/portal/page?_pageid=473,969477&_dad=portal&_schema=portal

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

River Basins – from Hydrological Science to Water Management: Ninth Kovacs Colloquium Report, with Conclusions and Recommendations

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

6–7 June 2008, UNESCO, Paris (Loulia Tchiguirinskaia, Siegfried Demuth & Pierre Hubert)
This report of the 9th Kovacs Colloquium intends to reflect the general tone, as well as the substantive issues discussed during the Colloquium, and present the conclusions and the
specific recommendations that were drawn from the plenary papers. The discussion and debate at the Colloquium strongly supported these recommendations and also raised further questions and unsolved problems in ongoing hydrological research and water management.

Introduction to the OpenMI (Open Modelling Interface)

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

Why was the OpenMI developed?
Modelling has become an increasingly important environmental management tool for understanding a range of issues including the impacts of climate change, the consequences of
remedial programmes for the environment and the effect of agricultural policy on biodiversity. With the increasing complexity of the issues and the need to support legislation such as the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD), a requirement emerged for models that could represent the
interactions of multiple processes. Building new models representing large numbers of processes was neither feasible nor a good use of the huge investment in existing models. A search therefore began to find a way to link the current models.