5 th world water forum istanbul, 16-22 march 2009

Arab Water Councilالـمـجـلـس الـعـربـى للـمـياه

A r a b W a t e r C o u n c i l

55thth World Water Forum World Water ForumIstanbul, 16-22 March 2009Istanbul, 16-22 March 2009

The Arab RegionThe Arab Region

Bridging the Water Divides

19 March 2009



2222 Countries in the Center of the WorldCountries in the Center of the World



Demographic and Socio-economic Demographic and Socio-economic FeaturesFeatures

Total population about 350 millionTotal population about 350 million Population growth is 2.6% per yearPopulation growth is 2.6% per year Share history, tradition, religions, culture, Share history, tradition, religions, culture,

language, and interestlanguage, and interest Average GDP US$1,915 billionAverage GDP US$1,915 billion Average HDI 0.699 in 2007/08Average HDI 0.699 in 2007/08 female to male adult literacy is 0.9-0.5female to male adult literacy is 0.9-0.5 youth literacy rate of females aged (15-24) youth literacy rate of females aged (15-24)

is 99.8-55.5is 99.8-55.5



Climate, Land and WaterClimate, Land and Water

Severe ariditySevere aridity Water plays a dominant role in Water plays a dominant role in

the life of people more than in the life of people more than in any other part of the worldany other part of the world

Total area is about 14 million Total area is about 14 million mm22,, 87% is desert87% is desert

Annual precipitation varies Annual precipitation varies between 18 mm/yr and 827 between 18 mm/yr and 827 mm/yr mm/yr



Water Supply and DemandWater Supply and Demand

Renewable water resources around Renewable water resources around 335 km3/yr 335 km3/yr

Around 60 % come across bordersAround 60 % come across borders Fossil groundwater about 143 kmFossil groundwater about 143 km33

annual share per capita expected annual share per capita expected to drop to 547 mto drop to 547 m33/cap/yr by year /cap/yr by year 20502050

Demands exceed 220 kmDemands exceed 220 km33/yr/yr Agriculture consumes 83% of total Agriculture consumes 83% of total

water availablewater available

Population Size and Renewable Freshwater Availability inWater-Short Countries, 1995 and 2025 in Arab Region

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200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

Countries

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20

30

40

50

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70

80

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110

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Water Per Capita 1995 Water Per Capita 2025 Population 1995 (millions) Population 2025 (millions)



Non Conventional Water ResourcesNon Conventional Water Resources

About 30 km³ of non-conventional About 30 km³ of non-conventional water produce annuallywater produce annually

GCC countries produce 3.4 km³/yr GCC countries produce 3.4 km³/yr of desalinated water of desalinated water

Treated wastewater are expected Treated wastewater are expected to increase to about 3 km³/yr by to increase to about 3 km³/yr by the year 2020the year 2020

Egypt reuse about 5,000 km³ /yr Egypt reuse about 5,000 km³ /yr ofof Agricultural drainage waterAgricultural drainage water



The State of WS&S ServicesThe State of WS&S Services

86% of the population have 86% of the population have access to clean water. access to clean water.

71% of the total population 71% of the total population have access to improved have access to improved sanitationsanitation

Current domestic water Current domestic water supply about 16.7 kmsupply about 16.7 km33 and is and is expected to rise to 27.6 kmexpected to rise to 27.6 km33 in 2025in 2025



The Regional Process: The way to IstanbulThe Regional Process: The way to Istanbul

Kick off meeting, Dec. 07

1st Coordination meeting, March 08

2nd Coordination Meeting, June 08

1st Senior Officials Meeting, July 08

1st Ministerial Meeting, July 08

1st Arab Water Forum, Nov. 08

Technical meeting,Sept. 08

2nd Ministerial Meeting, Nov 08

Dec. 2007 March 2009

2nd Senior Officials Meeting, Jan 09



The Outcome of the Regional ProcessThe Outcome of the Regional Process

Setting the regional prioritiesSetting the regional priorities Dialogue among StakeholdersDialogue among Stakeholders Contributions to the thematic Contributions to the thematic

process and input to the VMSprocess and input to the VMS Political deliberations and Political deliberations and

consultationconsultation The regional documentThe regional document Sets of recommendations and Sets of recommendations and

messages to decision makersmessages to decision makers



The Regional Perspective forThe Regional Perspective for

Bridging The Water DividesBridging The Water Divides

Within Each Arab State

In the Water Governance

•Bridging the Divides between the Present and the Future•Bridging the Divides between the Present and the Future•Bridging the Divides between the Present and the Future

Between the Present and the Future

Between the Rich and the Poor

Between Arab States and Their Neighboring Countries

Between Knowledge and People



Divides within each Arab StateDivides within each Arab State



Divides between Present and FutureDivides between Present and Future



Bridging the Governance gapBridging the Governance gap



Divides between Arab States and Divides between Arab States and NeighborsNeighbors



Divides between knowledge and PeopleDivides between knowledge and People



Regional Messages to Regional Messages to Politicians and Decision Politicians and Decision

MakersMakers

Theme 1. Global Changes and Risk Management•The fragile water situation in the region is more sensitive to climate change. •Adequate information is needed for attracting political attention.•Urgency for more sustainable water policy and investment choices. •Political focus offers new opportunities to improve overall results of water management.•Develop a regional preparedness policy to adapt to extreme water events. •Water should be kept out of political conflict dynamics.•International community has responsibility to protect national water resources in territories under occupation.

Theme 2. Advancing HD and the MDGs•The fragile water situation in the region is more sensitive to climate change. •Adequate information is needed for attracting political attention.•Urgency for more sustainable water policy and investment choices. •Political focus offers new opportunities to improve overall results of water management.•Develop a regional preparedness policy to adapt to extreme water events. •Water should be kept out of political conflict dynamics.•International community has responsibility to protect national water

resources in territories under occupation.

Theme 3. Managing and Protecting Water ResourcesCooperation leads to a “win-win” situation in managing shared water resources. Agreements based on customary international law offers “no harm” solutions.Set, implement and monitor National IWRM plans. Encourage water demand management at policy and practice levels. Update and enforce policies and laws related to pollution control.

Theme 4. Governance and ManagementImprove water governance as a priority to improve water management.Promote decentralization of water management in urban and agricultural water uses. Sustain the political support to reforms in the water sector. Encourage involvement of all stakeholders in water planning and decision making.Institutionalize anticorruption and transparency mechanisms. Support the independence of regulatory bodies

Theme 5: Finance

Encourage economic incentives to promote efficient water use.Cost recovery is necessary for water use efficiency and financial sustainability.Scale up private-sector participation in water investments and management. Charging for water services should not impact the least-able and vulnerable groups.Engage International, regional and Arab funding agencies in water investments.

Theme 6: Education, Knowledge and Capacity-BuildingRecognize the balance between knowledge, capacity development and infrastructure.Set strategic plans to respond to human resources and financial needs of water institutions. Encourage and support the Arab Water Academy as an innovative regional capacity-development facility.Encourage networking between research centers and universities in and outside the Arab region.



The Most Important MessageThe Most Important Message

“Save Water …… Save our Future …..”

5 th world water forum istanbul, 16-22 march 2009

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