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EMWIS Flash N°59, May 2008
| Released | 29/05/2008 |
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| | EMWIS Flash - May 2008 | |
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In this issue N°59 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash59)
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HEADLINE
1- EMWIS National Focal Points Coordination Meeting
IN BRIEF
2- Outputs of the 2nd MEDA Water Regional Event on Local Water Management
3- Union for the Mediterranean - proposals to enhance the EU-Mediterranean partnership
4- Water: One of the pillars of the Union for the Mediterranean
5- Environmental policy convergence guides for ENP partners
6- More stringent water quality standards requested by the European Parliament
7- MEDA-Water: ADIRA project to present experiences in water desalination
8- EXPO Zaragoza 2008 – Water and sustainable development
9- Spain: Barcelona starts to import water on ships
10- Morocco-Algeria-Tunisia: Maghreb Drought Alert System
11- Morocco: Taking measures to support farmers and face rainfall shortage
12- Morocco: Launch of the works of Oued Martil dam, near Tetouan
13- Algeria turns the black gold to the blue gold
14- Algeria: National council of investments approves 2 desalination stations projects
15- Egypt: Twinning project on Water Quality Management
16- Water scarcity concerns growing
17- Climate change having 'worldwide, widespread effects'
18- European fund to support post - 2012 climate projects
19- Survey on Climate Risks and Management Options in the Mediterranean
20- OECD Environment Ministers discussed solutions for climate change & water scarcity
21- National SMAP Clearing House Meetings
22- MedWet Dialogue on water in the MENA region: Menasra Agreement
23- Mediterranean Call (CIRCLE-MED): Status Quo and next steps
NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS
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HEADLINE
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1- The next EMWIS NFP coordination seminar will take place in Madrid from the 24 to next 26 June. This seminar will focus on EMWIS and its NFPs achievements and discussion on NFPs sustainability as main national water information access points, the preparation of a booklet on water institutional framework of Med countries, the progress of National Water Information Systems developments and the activities related to their harmonization including: guidelines on the harmonization with the Water information System for Europe - WISE-, the Meta-data catalogue on the water data sources. The activities of the Med Joint Process working groups on water monitoring networks and on the water scarcity and drought will also be reviewed. Finally the main activities planned for 2008 - 2009 will be discussed. Further information on EMWIS website.
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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The 2nd MEDA Water Regional Event on Local Water Management placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, took place in Marrakech (Morocco), from 28 to 30 April 2008. The workshop was organised around key sessions to discuss the results of the MEDA Water projects as well as a number of significant communications on themes such as irrigation water management, drought management, waste water reuse, rural water management, non conventional water resources, water information. The last day of the conference was dedicated to presentations of EC water related programmes in the region, a discussion on the workshop recommandations and a review of the Mediterranean countries expectations for a potential follow-up of this program that could be proposed to the Euromed Ministerial conference on water planned in October 2008. All the presentations and the material of the conference are available online. Further information on EMWIS website.
3- The European Commission presented last 20 May its proposals for upgrading relations with its Mediterranean partners through the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. Following the decision of the Spring European Council the Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner presented the outline of the structures of the Union for the Mediterranean which aim at giving renewed vitality and visibility to the EU's relations with Partners in the Mediterranean region. These structures include the setting up of a Secretariat and the creation of a permanent committee of Euro-Mediterranean representatives. The policy paper also outlines ideas for the kind of projects that would constitute visible and tangible efforts at improving the lives and livelihoods of the region's citizens. The proposals contained in the Communication will be presented at the inaugural Summit of Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean in Paris on 13 July, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
4- During his state visit to Tunisia from 28 to 30 April, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy assured that the Union for the Mediterranean would allow the creation of a "win-win pole that will compete with Asia". He mentioned some possible projects of this Union: the management and sharing of water, the depollution of the Mediterranean Sea, maritime safety, the organization of a Mediterranean Centre for Scientific Research and development, and the follow-up of the Erasmus programme of exchange between mediterranean universities. Further information on EMWIS website.
5- Convergence of the environmental policies of the countries of the European Neighbourhood and Russia with principles and approaches developed in EU legislation is foreseen in the ENP Action Plans agreed with a number of ENP countries, and in the EU-Russia Common Economic Space Road-map. This is expected to bring environmental benefits both to the countries concerned and the European region. In order to help partner countries to realise these benefits, the European Commission has published six short guides on EU policies and legislation in English, French, Arabic and Russian. They cover the following key areas: Water quality, Waste management, Air quality, Horizontal issues, Nature protection and Industrial pollution. The guide also addresses the current general policy situation of Eastern and Mediterranean ENP partners and looks at potential challenges to convergence. Finally, it identifies useful steps to be taken to promote convergence. Since the individual situation in partner countries varies considerably, the guides take a general approach. Further information on EMWIS website.
6- The draft directive on surface water, which is the final major piece of EU legislation needed for the Water Framework Directive (WFD), fixes environmental quality standards for 33 pollutants, likely to be found in the rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The Environment Committee of the European Parliament (EP) required at its meeting of 6 May 2008 tougher standards and adopted several amendments on this draft proposal that will serve as a basis for negotiations with the Council. Member states would have to meet the water quality standards, which take the form of maximum allowable concentrations and annual average values, by 2015. Twelve of the 33 pollutants are already classified as "priority hazardous substances", to be phased out by 2025. The Environment Committee required that 31 more water pollutants have either to be controlled by 2015 or to be banned by 2025. Negotiations on the draft proposal continue between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Further information on EMWIS website.
7- Experts of the EU-funded ADIRA project (one of MEDA Water programme projects) will present and discuss their experiences during a workshop organized in Greece on May 28th. A large number of invited Water Desalination experts, scientists, decision makers, investors and in general actors and stakeholders are expected to attend. For many years, the ADIRA project, has studied in depth the engineering and economics of brackish and sea water desalination and has lately installed a number of small autonomous water desalination units, operating on solar energy (mainly PV), in Morocco, Turkey, Jordan and Cyprus. Further information on EMWIS website.
8- 7.5 million guests are expected to visit the coming world exhibition, which takes place from June 14th to September 14th 2008 in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. The theme is water and sustainable development. From the outset the exposition has aimed to be more than just an attractive urban development project; it is a driving force for necessary urban, social and cultural change. International expositions have been and are valuable tools for progress in all areas with global sustainability problems: the environment, energy, healthcare and education, etc. In fact, Expo is considered the Olympics of economy, technology and research, with an ocean of national attractions in the pavilions. Further information on EMWIS website.
9- Barcelona began shipping in drinking water as severe drought conditions persisted. Leonard Carcole, director-general of Aguas de Barcelona, the city’s utility, commented on the dry spring conditions as a Panamanian-flagged tanker loaded with water docked at Barcelona’s port. “It has been one of the driest years ever, and Barcelona has found itself in need of water,” he said. The ships, scheduled to continue to arrive with water for at least the next three months, will provide the 5.5 million people of greater Barcelona with 6 percent of their usual monthly water consumption. A planned $277 million pipeline to bring in water from the Ebro River to the west is also in the works, designed to help the region hang on until a desalination plant is completed in May of next year, the report said. Further information on EMWIS website
10- Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) held from 12 to 14 May 2008 the 3rd regional workshop of the project "North African Drought Alert System" coordinated by the OSS and funded by the LIFE-Third Countries programme of the European Commission. This project aims to develop a device to prevent environmental degradation caused by drought and inform on environmental strategies and sustainable development in three Maghreb countries: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. This project will allow better management of crises through the component drought early warning system. Further information on EMWIS website
11- Morocco has taken a series of measures to support farmers and lessen the impact of rainfall shortage in certain regions, Minister of agriculture, Aziz Akhannouch, said last 14th May. The minister underlined that this year's agricultural season was marked by a rainfall shortage of 27% compared to last year, as well as by the excessive heat witnessed late March and early April. However, the minister went on, rain was well spread out in terms of time, which allowed many regions to overcome the drought they went through. Further information on EMWIS website
12- On 16 May, King Mohammed VI of Morocco launched the works of the Oued Martil dam (in the rural commune of Ben Karrich within the province of Tetouan), with a cost of 950 million dirhams. This dam will have a positive socio-economic impact on the region, and is part of the overall integrated hydraulic system which will be interconnected later to secure and sustain the water supply in this region which is experiencing fast development and which should not be hampered by a lack of water. Further information on EMWIS website
13- Under an ambitious programme to develop its water infrastructure, the Algerian government should inaugurate thirteen sea water desalination plants and thirteen dams by 2011. Since 2005, Algeria has embarked on a comprehensive five-year plan of 14 billion dollars to modernize water infrastructure in the country thanks to oil money. Further information on EMWIS website
14- The Algerian national council of investments has approved 10 investment projects in Algeria, during the 34th session that has been chaired by the Prime Minister, Mr. Abdelaziz Belkhadem. The projects have been approved following the conventions concluded between the national agency for investments promotion, and some foreign multinational companies. In this regard, the national council for investments has approved 2 desalination stations projects in Tlemcen western province, both projects have been scheduled in the framework of a convention linking the national agency of investments promotion, and the Spain-Algerian water company. Further information on EMWIS website
15- The proposal of twinning project on Water Quality Management presented by the Italian-French-Austrian consortium for the Egyptian government has been selected by the evaluation committee for the implementation of the EU Twinning Project on Water Quality Management in Egypt (No.EG07AA/EN09). This 2 years project (budget: 1300000 EUR) includes a Resident Twinning advisor and over 600 man days of short term expertise from the 3 countries. Further information on EMWIS website
16- Speedy solutions are needed to combat water shortages, according to experts and politicians who debated the issue at a conference hosted by the European Water Forum in the European parliament on 16 April. Water crept up the EU's political agenda last summer, following the serious droughts that swept across Europe. The events forced the Commission to react, publishing a communication on water scarcity and drought, which proposes higher water prices to deter overuse. "The EU is looking at addressing the issue through water pricing policies," confirmed Commission official Andrea Tilche.Water shortages are becoming more common in Europe, with the Catalan region in Spain that started importing water from as far afield as Southern France. Further information on EMWIS website
17- Many physical and ecological systems are being affected by the world's warming climate, researchers say. Their analysis, published in Nature last 15 May, looked at whether these changes were related to temperature increase, other factors such as land use change, or simply natural variability. The authors found little evidence that natural variability or other environmental factors were significant, and conclude that climate change is affecting these systems. Their findings are largely consistent with the report by the second working group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC WG-2), which says more than 89 per cent of the significant changes in physical and biological systems are consistent with global warming. The IPCC fourth assessment report concluded it is "likely" that global warming is human-induced. Further information on EMWIS website
18- The European Investment Bank (EIB) and four other public financing institutions have launched a €125 million fund to boost investment in clean energy projects that are to generate carbon credits after 2012. The Post-2012 Carbon Credit Fund will exclusively purchase and trade carbon credits generated after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. The Fund will contract credits from projects, for delivery as far away as 2022, under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) schemes, which allow industrialised nations to offset carbon emissions at home by funding "clean" projects in the developing world. The fund will be an asset for the EU to remain at the forefront of international efforts to combat climate change. Further information on EMWIS website
19- Climate change impacts such as changing precipitation patterns, droughts, sea-level rise, etc pose risks across sectors and communities. Adequate management of climate risks plays an important role in shaping the future of affected areas. In the frame of the EU funded CIRCE project, the European Climate Forum (ECF) seeks to gain valuable insights from stakeholders and scientific experts on their professional perception and knowledge about climate risks in the Mediterranean region (MENA). Thus, the European Climate Forum invites to complete a survey on climate risks and management options in the Medietrranean by June 30, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
20- OECD Environment Ministers met on 28-29 April 2008 in Paris to discuss recent environmental trends and the projections in the OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030 which highlights policy solutions among others for climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and health impacts of pollutions, and environmental co-operation between OECD countries and emerging economies. Further information on EMWIS website
21- On the basis of the conclusions of the meeting on "Environmental Knowledge and Information Exchange in the Mediterranean", organized last December in Rome by the SMAP RMSU project is preparing the closing phase activities of the SMAP Clearing House, hosted by the EEA. The project is thus contacting the partner organizations of the SMAP Clearing House, including EMWIS, to organize with them small national working meetings in interested MEDA countries in order to valorise the work carried out during the past years and to continue to facilite the needed efforts to mainstream information exchange mechanisms in the Mediterranean region thus contributing to the objectives of the monitoring and reporting component of H2020. Further information on EMWIS website
22- A mission was undertaken by MedWet Policy Advisor Nejib Benessaiah to Menasra (Sebou basin), Morroco on 13-19 April 2008 in the framework of the project Dialogue on water governance in agriculture and the interaction with wetlands. During the mission a number of activities were carried out including among others : amendements of the Menasra Agreement and Action Plan; preparation of a short promotional video. Results of the local dialogue in the region of Mnasra will be reported to the national administrations in charge of the water and agriculture sector as well to the authorities of other basins in Morocco. Exchange of experience with a Jordanian delegation (wetland Al Azraq) has also been prepared. Further information on EMWIS website
23- The Mediterranean community within CIRCLE (CIRCLE-MED) launched a joint call in July 2007 on "Climate Change, Integrated Coastal Zones and Water Management". By the cut-off date, sixteen proposals were received, representing a request of 3.46 million euros. Institutions applied from many countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Turkey and Morocco. Finally eight projects were selected for a total budget of 1.65 million Euro. These projects associate research bodies from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Croatia, and Albania. All funded projects will be monitored and assessed over the course of their duration. Further information on EMWIS website
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NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
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24- Mrs. Stefania Prestigiacomo has been nominated Minister of Environment in the new Italian government. Further information on EMWIS website
25- World Water Council names General Director: Mr. Ger Bergkamp has been appointed as General Director of the World Water Council, effective 1st June 2008. Mr. Daniel Zimmer, who has served as Executive Director of the Council since November of 2001, will continue as Associate Director in charge of the Preparation of the 5th World Water Forum until June 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
26- Openings for the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency: 14 positions opened. These include a range of climate-relevant positions: 1. Atmospheric processes, air pollution, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, Biodiversity, Business and environmental entrepreneurship, Ecological economics, Energy (incl. mitigation & adaptation strategies), Environmental history, European and international environmental law, Freshwater (incl. groundwater), Integrated environmental assessment and indicators, Spatial planning and management of natural resources, Agriculture, Terrestrial ecosystems incl. soils, forests, grasslands, Modern technologies (incl. nanotechnologies, GMO etc.), Transport and environment. Deadline: 30 June 2008. Applicants must be citizens of EEA member countries (Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey). Further information on EMWIS website
27- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Palestine seeks a qualified person to manage a large scale Emergency Water and Sanitation and Other Infrastructure (EWAS) program solicited by USAID/West Bank and Gaza. The program will rehabilitate, expand and upgrade water and sewage systems and will deliver potable water to needy communities. This includes installation of new pipes to carry potable water or sewage, and repair of water and sewer line breaks and small pumping systems. Application deadline: 01 July 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
28- Water Advocates is a small non profit advocacy and lobbying group in Washington DC (DuPont Circle area) dedicated to the global safe drinking water and sanitation challenge. Water Advocates is seeking a full/time part/time paid intern (pref. senior or grad student) to assist with a wide range of projects that support our advocacy, lobbying and research efforts. Further information on EMWIS website
29- Reuters IUCN Media Awards - Call for entries: Reuters Foundation and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has launched the 2008 Media Awards, a worldwide competition aimed at raising global awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues, by encouraging excellence in environmental reporting worldwide. The deadline for entries is 15 June 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
30- The International Water Association Specialist Group on Sustainability in the Water Sector is pleased to invite nominations for the 2008 Prizes for Excellence in Sustainable Urban Water Management. The deadline for nominations is 1st June 2008. Winning entries will be showcased and prizes awarded during the IWA World Water Congress which will be held in Vienna, 7-12 September 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
31- SwissRe invites applications for the International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management 2009: The Award worth USD 150 000 is an internationally recognized prize for leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in watershed management, and is granted to one or several projects selected by an international jury. The prize money is open to NGOs, private, scientific and public institutions. As the world’s leading and most diversified global reinsurer, Swiss Re offers financial services products that enable risk taking essential to enterprise and progress. Deadline: 31 May 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
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PUBLICATIONS
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32- The "Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water" has been released by the IPCC (Intergovernamental Panel on Climate Change) last April and it constitutes an important addition to the 4th IPCC Assessment Report. The panel was established in 1988 by two branches of the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Further information on EMWIS website
33- Study online: Impacts of climate change include increasing water scarcity and flood risk, along with decline in water quality. This study explores which ecosystems will be most impacted and analyses how the effects of climate change act as causes of additional emissions, thereby reinforcing global warming in a positive feedback loop. The paper was prepared for the European Parliament by Ecologic jointly with the Institute for European Environmental Policies (IEEP) and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). Further information on EMWIS website
34- The second preparatory meeting, or “Integration Meeting,” for the Third World Water Development Report (WWDR-3) took place last April at the Villa La Colombella in Perugia, Italy, the new headquarters of the WWAP Secretariat. During the meeting, contributors, writers, members of the Technical Advisory Committee, co-chairs of Expert Groups, members of UN-Water and other participants involved in the development of the report discussed draft chapters and their integration. Conclusions and recommendations of the WWDR-3 were also addressed. Further information on EMWIS website
35- Report “Saving Water: From Field to Fork – Curbing Losses in the Food Chain” launched at CSD-16 (16th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development). As governments struggle with a sudden crisis in the price of food, a companion crisis in availability of water also threatens billions of people. To meet the challenge of feeding growing populations and the global hungry, massive reductions in the amount of food wasted after production are needed. This report calls on governments to reduce by half, by 2025, the amount of food that is wasted after it is grown. Further information on EMWIS website
36- United Nations Publications: "International Water Security: Domestic Threats and Opportunities". This book explores threats and opportunities through the presentation of case studies that analyze the multi-faceted and dynamic nature of the interplay between domestic and international water security. A range of past, on-going and emerging international water disputes from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe are examined. Further information on EMWIS website
37- "Launch of the FAO-IFAD Report : Water & the Rural Poor". For millions of small holder farmers, fishers and herders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), water is one of the most important production assets. Water is key to enhancing rural people livelihoods, because insecure access to water for consumption and productive uses is a major constraint on poverty reduction in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Further information on EMWIS website
38- "Climate Change & Security: Challenges for German Development Cooperation": This new publication sets out by giving a quick overview of the main insights on the security implications of climate change. The authors then apply the findings to selected sectors (water; food and rural development; infrastructure, energy and transport; urbanisation; governance) and regions (MENA, Africa, Asia and Pacific, Latin America). The publication concludes with recommendations on strategy, policy and practice for German and international development cooperation. Further information on EMWIS website
39- UNEP’s GEMS/Water Programme has launched a new version of Water Quality for Ecosystem and Human Health, 2nd Edition. The purpose of the new edition is to introduce the basic concepts of water quality and how it is related to ecosystem and human health; and to present an overview and assessments of current and upcoming global water quality issues with examples from around the world. Further information on EMWIS website
40- The "Handbook on pressurized irrigation techniques" is now available in French: "Manuel des techniques d'irrigation sous pression". Further information on EMWIS website
41- SMAP bulletin no. 22 on-line: An interview with Dr Klaus Ebermann, EC Ambassador to Egypt, on EU support for the environment in the Mediterranean region which comes to 460 million euros for ongoing projects, is the main story in the SMAP regional programme bulletin no. 22 (spring 2008). Further information on EMWIS website
42- UNESCO Water Portal Newsletter No. 204: Water and Energy. Further information on EMWIS website
43- A new issue n°49 of DELTA Review has been published. Further information on EMWIS website.
44- New issue N°24 of "ÉCHANGES MED INFOS" has been published. Further information on EMWIS website.
45- The first issue of Journal of Flood Risk Management, a new publication for 2008, has just been published jointly with the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and Wiley-Blackwell. Further information on EMWIS website.
46- The Meeddat (the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning) has put online, on its website dedicated to contaminated land, a guide on the control and management of impacts of polluants on groundwater quality. Further information on EMWIS website.
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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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47- EU-FP7 Call for proposal - ERA-NET / ERA-NET PLUS Call 2008: Call identifier: FP7-ERANET-2008-RTD, Indicative budget: 29,3 M€. This call for Coordination and Support Actions covers a.o. Environment topics (including Climate Change). Deadline for application: August 12, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
48- eContentplus programme call for proposals for the year 2008 launched: The EC adopted the eContentplus 2008 Work Programme and call for proposals on 19 March 2008. The call with an overall budget of 42.5 M€ is now officially open and will close on 12 June 2008, 17:00 hrs Luxembourg local time. The call covers various actions in three target areas: Geographic Information, Educational Content, and Digital Libraries. Further information on EMWIS website.
49- Israel - The Sea-Water Desalination Tender: The Israelian Ministry of National Infrastructures, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Water Authority, through the Sea-Water Desalination Inter-Ministerial Tender Committee invites entities and consortia from the private sector in Israel and abroad, to participate in a pre-qualitication process of private sector entities for a tender for: the finance, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer to the State of Israel, of a sea-water desalination facility at Sorek, with production capabilities of at least 100 million m3 per annum. Participants will submit their Pre-Qualification Submissions by no later than 12:00 on Sunday, June 15th, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
50- SMAS project: installation of a MODIS processing chain in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Further information on EMWIS website.
51- Mitigating Flood Risk in Flooded Areas in the GAP region in Turkey: The global objective of this assignment is to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the 'Mitigating flood risk in flooded areas in the GAP region' project. Closing date: 19 December 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
52- Design and Build Construction of Infrastructure (96 hectares) and Waste Water Treatment Plant of Sanliurfa Organized Industrial Zone, Turkey: Deadline for submission of tenders: Friday, 6 June 2008 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Further information on EMWIS website.
53- Algeria: Provision of logistics for the organization of workshops, conferences and study visits for the benefit of officials, executives and staff in the water sector. The programme will support water sector in Algeria, and aims to contribute to the satisfaction of sustainable water demand of consumers, to restore the image of service quality, improve the adequacy actors in their missions under the integrated water resources management and promote water saving and the resource conservation and environment. The date of opening of bids is scheduled for 9 June 2008 at 14 hours at the headquarters of the Ministry of Water Resources. Further information on EMWIS website.
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CALL FOR PAPERS
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54- Call for book chapters: "Climate change adaptation in developed nations". Chapters are being sought from researchers, policy makers, and others involved in climate change adaptation planning in the following areas: 1. Public health and climate change adaptation, 2. Adaptation to climate change in the urban environment, 3. Climate change adaptation in industry, 4. Adapting to climate change in the agricultural sector, 5. Climate change adaptation in resource dependent communities. Authors are invited to submit a short proposal (250 words maximum), describing the topic and scope of the proposed chapter. Deadline for submission of short proposals: June 25th 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
55- Call for abstracts for the IV International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management: The main topic of the IV International Symposium on Transboundary Water Management (TWM IV) that will be held in Thessaloniki (Greece) in 15-18/10/2008 is "Transboundary Surface Waters and Shared Aquifers". Extended abstracts up to 3 pages should be submitted by 30th May 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
56- CIWEM Annual Conference 2009 (29-30 April 2009, UK) Call for papers: This conference is organised on an academic model, like the Defra Flood Risk Management conference, where there is a call for papers and speakers will be selected on that basis by the conference organising committee. All the speakers will pay the conference fee and this will be broadly in line with current CIWEM one day events. Submission Deadline: August 15th 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
57- Organized by the International Secretariat for Water (ISW), the VidéEau Festival is an international competition for video clips. It is also part of a project titled ‘‘Celebration of Lakes and Rivers’’ which is a process aimed at raising awareness and involving young people in international citizenship and cooperation for water, both in Quebec and around the world. The 2008 edition invites young people from the ages of 17 to 30 to submit video clips on the theme ‘‘Water, People and Sustainable Development’’ before 15 June 2008. The winners of the competition will be automatically entered into The International Water and Film Events, organized in Istanbul in March 2009 during the 5th World Water Forum. Further information on EMWIS website
58- Call for papers for the 5th IWA Specialist Conference: Oxidation Technologies for Water & Wastewater Treatment: This conference will be held in Berlin (Germany) in the period 30 March - 03 April 2009. Abstract Deadline: May 31, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
59- SRO5 - First Call for Extended Abstracts: The 5th Conference on Scientific Research Outlook & Technology Development in the Arab World (SRO5): “Path to Innovation: Transforming Research into Value": 27-31 October, 2008 – Fez - Morocco. Discussions will focus both on core scientific topics in ICT, Energy & Water, Biotechnologies, and New Materials, as well as technicalities that can harness progress in those areas. Extended Abstract Submission: May 30, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
61- The International Conference ‘Xenobiotics in the Urban Water Cycle – XENOWAC 2009’, that will be held in Paphos (Cyprus) in March 11-13, 2009, has published its first announcement. Deadline for abstracts submission: July 15, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
62- A new electronic scientific Journal has just been launched: "Water Alternatives: An interdisciplinary Journal on water, Politics and Development": WaA is an interdisciplinary journal addressing the full range of issues that water raises in contemporary societies. The inaugural issue will be released on the 1st of June 2008. Submissions are welcome: you may already send your manuscripts to the editors and register in order to receive tables of contents when a new issue is published. Further information on EMWIS website
63- Call for papers for the International Colloquium: "Earth and Water 2008": In 2004, the symposium "Earth and Water" reported on the issues of soil resources, water pollution and various interactions. Earth & Water 2008, follow up treating these issues in the new context of exploration, exploitation and sustainable management. Deadline for submitting abstracts: May 30, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
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TRAINING
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64- Southern Sudan had its first introduction to Integrated Water Resources Management in April. A training programme of Nile IWRM-net was organised in Juba by the NGO, Magwi Action for Self Reliance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Southern Sudan. The course created much interest in the subject and committment to follow up by the Government. Further information on EMWIS website
65- International Specialized Course: Operation & Control of activated sludge processes by microscopic analysis. This Course is the 19th in this series offered by Environmental Study Center «Luigi Bazzucchi». The Course is designed for operators and designers of municipal and industrial biological wastewater treatment plants and researchers and graduate students studying the activated sludge process. It will be held in Perugia (Italy) in 16-20 June 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
[2008/06/26 - 2008/06/27] EDS Desalination Management and Economics, L'Aquila, Italy
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/23 - 2008/06/27] 5-day shortcourse: "River Restoration: Fluvial-Geomorphic and Ecological Processes", Beaumont du Ventoux, Provence, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/19 - 2008/06/19] International Office for Water days: The use of Rainwater, Lyon, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/16 - 2008/06/20] International Specialized Course: Operation & Control of activated sludge processes by microscopic analysis, Perugia, Italy
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/09 - 2008/06/13] GIS and Remote Sensing: the know-how in a course, Bari, Italy
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/05/30 - 2008/05/30] III International Short Course “Advances in Knowledge of Urban Drainage from the Catchment to the Receiving Water –Technical Solutions in Stormwater Management”, Calabria, Italy
Further information on EMWIS website
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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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[2008/06/24 - 2008/06/26] 10th edition of the Cannes Water Symposium, Cannes, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/24 - 2008/06/25] International Workshop “Water and Climate Change in Southeastern Europe: Understanding Impacts & Planning for Adaptation”, Tirana, Albania
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/23 - 2008/06/25] INSPIRE Conference 2008, Maribor, Slovenia
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/23 - 2008/06/25] La conférence Internationale sur la Crise Alimentaire Mondiale, CANADA - 2008: Mobilisons nous contre les Pénuries alimentaire et Energétiques Mondiales, Toronto, Canada
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/23 - 2008/06/24] International technical workshop: "Water in the city & urban sanitation", Paris XIIe, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/22 - 2008/06/23] The First Forum of the Local and Regional Authorities of the Mediterranean, Marseille, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/22 - 2008/06/26] Regional Symposium: "Water resources management and its preservation", Amman, Jordan
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/18 - 2008/06/20] International Groundwater Symposium- Flow and Transport in Heterogeneous Subsurface Formations: Theory, Modelling & Applications, Istanbul, Turkey.
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[2008/06/18 - 2008/06/20] The First International Irrigation Congress: "Management, Technology and Best Practice in Irrigation", Zaragoza, Spain
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[2008/06/17 - 2008/06/19] 4th International Conference on Water and Wastewater Pumping Stations, Cranfield, UK
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[2008/06/17 - 2008/06/19] International MESO Symposium: Sharing Experiences in MENA countries - Local Analyses and Competences, Damascus, Syria.
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[2008/06/17 - 2008/06/18] Global Leakage Summit 2008, London, UK.
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[2008/06/16 - 2008/06/21] 4th ECRR Conference on River Restoration, Venice, Italy
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[2008/06/16 - 2008/06/17] Water Management Congress Europe, Prague, Czech Republic.
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[2008/06/16 - 2008/06/17] Seminar on Monitoring and Assessment of Transboundary Waters, Geneva, Switzerland
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[2008/06/14 - 2008/09/14] Expo Zaragoza 2008: water and sustainable development, Zaragoza, Spain.
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[2008/06/12 - 2008/06/13] SAND Final Event, Paris and Choisy-au-Bac, France
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[2008/06/12 - 2008/06/13] Pour une ambition mondiale: Les Entretiens de la Méditerranée - Rencontre annuelle des Entreprises et Réseaux professionnels, Barcelona, Spain
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[2008/06/12 - 2008/06/14] First International Conference "Drought Management: Scientific and technological innovations", Zaragoza, Spain
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[2008/06/11 - 2008/06/13] International Conference on Small Hydropower. Hidroenergia 2008: "On the Crossroads", Bled, Slovenia
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[2008/06/11 - 2008/06/13] 4th International Conference on Energy, Environment, Ecosystems, Sustainable Development (EEESD'08), Algarve, Portugal
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[2008/06/11 - 2008/06/13] Second International Conference on Sustainable Irrigation Management, Technologies and Policies, Alicante, Spain
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[2008/06/09 - 2008/06/11] DHI 2nd European Software Conference – “Water Across Europe”, Split, Croatia
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[2008/06/09 - 2008/06/11] Ninth International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution, Alicante, Spain
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[2008/06/07 - 2008/06/09] Arabic environmental and legislative conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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[2008/06/07 - 2008/06/08] EUROMED - 1st Information System Managers seminar, Algiers, Algeria
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[2008/06/06 - 2008/06/07] 9th UNESCO/IAHS Kovacs Colloquium: River Basins – from Hydrological Science to Water Management, Paris, France
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[2008/06/05 - 2008/06/07] International Workshop on Small Satellite, New Missions and New Technologies, Istanbul, Turkey
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[2008/06/05 - 2008/06/05] World Environment Day, Wellington, New Zealand
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[2008/06/05 - 2008/06/06] Technology for Safe Drinking Water in Eastern Europe, 4th Regional Technology Platform, Tábor, Czech Republic
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[2008/06/04 - 2008/06/06] 7th International ERCOFTAC Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements - ETMM7 -, Limasol, Cyprus
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[2008/06/04 - 2008/06/05] VIIèmes Journées Jean Monnet: Une nouvelle approche de la coopération euro - méditerranéenne est - elle nécessaire aujourd'hui ? Rabat, Morocco.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/04 - 2008/06/05] International Conference on “water resources management under extreme conditions”: « ECWATECH-2008 » and « INBO - Session » : “Floods, droughts and extreme phenomenon prevention, new tools introduced by the European Water framework Directive.”, Moscow, Russia
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/03 - 2008/06/06] 10th ConSoil Conference 2008, Milan, Italy
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[2008/06/03 - 2008/06/06] EC Conference "GREEN WEEK 2008 - Only one Earth-Don't waste it!", Brussels, Belgium
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[2008/06/02 - 2008/06/04] 24th Conference of the Danubian Countries on the Hydrological Forecasting and Hydrological Bases of Water Management, Bled, Slovenia
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/02 - 2008/06/07] 28th EARSeL Symposium & Workshops "Remote Sensing for a Changing Europe" - 8th workshop of the GIS in Developing Countries network Integrating GIS and Remote Sensing in a Dynamic World -, Istanbul, Turkey
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/06/02 - 2008/06/04] Fourth International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment, Granada, Spain
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[2008/06/02 - 2008/06/05] IMWA 2008 — 10th Int. Mine Water Association Congress: Mine Water and the Environment, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
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[2008/06/01 - 2008/06/04] The 5th IWA Leading-Edge Conference & Exhibition on Water & Wastewater Technologies, Zurich, Switzerland
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[2008/05/30 - 2008/05/30] Picturing the Environment, London, UK.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/05/28 - 2008/05/30] Second International Conference on Environmental Economics and Investment Assessment, Cadiz, Spain
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[2008/05/28 - 2008/05/30] Water and Sanitation in International Development and Disaster Relief, Edinburgh, UK
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[2008/05/28 - 2008/05/29] Confronting the Water Crisis in the Mediterranean Basin: What role for the European Union? Paris, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/05/28 - 2008/05/28] ADIRA Workshop on Desalination Powered by Renewable Energy, Athens, Greece.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/05/27 - 2008/05/31] The Third International Scientific Conference BALWOIS 2008: Water Observation and Information Systems for Decision Support, Ohrid, Macedonia.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/05/27 - 2008/05/29] 5th International SedNet Conference, Oslo, Norway
Further information on EMWIS website
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