EMWIS Flash N°89, April 2011

EMWIS Flash - April 2011 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Union for the Mediterranean. For further information: www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later) Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism / Geo-Catalogue / UfM-Water

2nd Istanbul International Water Forum
3-5 May 2011

========================
In this issue N°89 (www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash89)
========================
HEADLINE
1- 4th WEG meeting, 17-18 May 2011, Barcelona (Spain)
IN BRIEF

2- H2020 RMR sub-group meeting held on 30-31 March 2011, Copenahegn - Follow-up
3- European Commissioner for Climate Action Emphasizes the Role of Space
4- Hydrogaïa 2011: International Water Exhibition, Montpellier (France), 25-27 May 2011
5- The Arab Water Academy: Regional “Center of Excellence”
6- Population growth and water supply: Arab world's next battle
7- Mediterranean countries sign two agreements for the protection of the environment
8- Cyprus: Prothea will provide to the Government services for the implementation of the WFD
9- Malta: RO consumes 4% of Malta's electricity
10- Towards the establishment of a Maghreb Observatory for Drought Early Warning
11- Libya warns of disaster if 'Great Man-Made River' hit
12- Israel to provide wastewater treatment to Shandong & Hebei provinces (China)
13- Israeli desert will receive a new wastewater treatment plant
14- Palestine: World Bank grants US$3 million for Gaza water and sanitation
15- Palestinian Red Crescents & Qatar sign MoU
16- Lebanon: Awali-Beirut Water Conveyance project
17- Jordan: Experts call for subsidising water efficiency programmes
18- Jordan: Experts call for stricter enforcement of water-related laws
19- Jordan: Reuse Steps Up in Water-Poor Jordan
20- EU Parliament Supports the Rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River
21- U@MARENOSTRUM Project Final results
22- WssTP: Position Paper on FP8 for a Water Fund from the EC

23- UNECE Second Workshop on Water and Adaptation in Transboundary Basins
24- Water efficient seeds to ensure global food security
25- Reviewing Joint Monitoring Programme on Reporting the Progress for MDGs-Research
26- Right to Water and Sanitation must be put into action
27- Data for Improved Governance in the Arab World
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
PROJECTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

=================================================
HEADLINE
=================================================

1- The Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat is now in place and has received a working budget for the future identification, development and promotion of UfM-branded projects. In that context, the Water Expert Group (WEG) will meet for a technical workshop to be held at the Palau de Pedralbes, headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean’s Secretariat, in Barcelona on 17-18 May 2011. The meeting will address two main issues. First, it will be an important step towards the implementation of future projects in the field of water in the Mediterranean. An updated project proposal form has been released to allow countries to present initiatives in the pipeline. Moreover, recognizing that the strategy for water in the Mediterranean (SWM) has not yet been approved by the 43 member states/participants mainly for political rather than technical reasons, the meeting will also discuss future technical organization for the drafting of the Action Plan as decreed by the Ministerial conference on water held in the Dead Sea (Jordan) in December 2008, so that the strategy and its action plan (if ready) may be submitted together for endorsement whenever the Co-Presidency deems appropriate. The following day 19/05 a focus group meeting will take place in the same place to tackle an additional aspect of UfM´s mandate in the field of water: to strengthen the coordination of existing Euro-Mediterranean initiatives and networks on information.  Further information on EMWIS website or see the UfM website (Cooperation in the water sector).

=================================================
IN BRIEF (Full news)
=================================================

2- The second meeting of H2020 Review, Monitoring and Research (RMR) sub-group gathered more than 40 experts from Southern Mediterranean and West Balkan partner countries. This meeting, strongly embedded in both the H2020 initiative and the ENP Framework through the ENPI-SEIS project"Towards a Shared Environment Information System in the Mediterranean, allowed to take stock of the most recent developments of the H2020 initiative, the results of the ENPI/SEIS consultation meeting held in November 2010, and also of the research projects and activities in the Mediterranean. Organised around breakout groups, the RMR sub-group discussed extensively how to develop a regular reporting process to monitor environmental progress "depolluting the Mediterranean" with a particular focus on the three H2020 priority issues of urban waste water, municipal waste and industrial emissions. The meeting was very constructive and came out with several practical next steps. In particular this included the development of three pilots to help promote the testing and demonstration of what can be achieved measuring progress on the three priorities, and of the processes needed for this. The EEA will prepare a first outline of the pilots on the basis of the discussions and the UNEP/MAP indicator proposal. This will be circulated to the RMR sub-group during May for comments and inputs. In parallel, participants were invited to provide any complementary ideas and reflections to the EEA in writing after the meeting (in Arabic, English or French). This applies equally to those of you who could not attend the meeting as either reflections on this letter or after studying the material presented (available on the H2020 portal). The upcoming ENPI-SEIS country visits will allow to deepen the discussions and to explore ways of enlarging engagement at a country level. This is seen to include in particular country level assessments to complement the pilots. Further information on EMWIS website.

3- On 2 February 2011, a Hearing on “Space Systems and Key Assets for Climate Change Monitoring and Adaptation Strategies” took place at the European Parliament. European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, stressed that Earth observation is of the utmost importance for monitoring, tackling and adapting to climate change, and pointed to satellite navigation as an important space tool. Moreover, she is working together with Vice-President and Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, in order to develop a joint strategy on space and climate. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- The global water competitiveness cluster (Pôle EAU) is organising a scientific seminar as part of Hydrogaïa 2011, in conjunction with the Languedoc researcher community (ILEE) and the International Water Resources Association (International Water Resources Association - IWRA). Pôle EAU structures its strategic actions around four focal areas: > Focus 1: Identification and mobilisation of resources; > Focus 2: Combined resource and use management; > Focus 3: Re-using water from any provenance; > Focus 4 (cross-cutting): Actors and decisions: institutional and societal approaches. One of the Pôle EAU's functions is to boost the synergy between businesses and research in Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in its focal areas. The scientific seminar  intended for professionals in the sector and scientists brings together national and international experts and scientists from all disciplines: political and management sciences, geography, hydrology and water engineering, process engineering, etc. The themes cover: > water governance; > water and the Mediterranean; > re-using water from any provenance. This first theme heralds the work of the forthcoming World Water Forum (FME). - Marseille 2012. The second theme addresses the prospects for water management in the Mediterranean by focusing on adapting this management to global changes in a particularly sensitive region. The third theme presents the various issues surrounding re-using water from any provenance. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- To help respond to Water management challenges in the MENA region, the World Bank Institute (WBI)’s Urban Water Program works with the Arab Water Academy (in the United Arab Emirates), to enhance capacity building in the water sector. WBI assists the Academy in developing courses for decision makers in the water sector and helps facilitate partnerships with regional institutions and develop communities of practitioners. This program responds to the need for practitioners to become agents of change through engaging in dialogue about both good practices and challenges within the reform process and by creating an action plan and communications strategy to include various stakeholders in reform. The Arab Water Academy was launched in 2008 and is now considered a regional “Center of Excellence” in the water sector. It has developed partnerships with USAID and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations. Following its success, the African Water Academy was launched in Kampala, Uganda and there is recent interest from India and the Caribbean to expand the capacity development programs there as well. "Middle East North Africa Water Centers Network" is in its concept stage and could complement the Academy in the future. The Academy’s key objectives beyond continued delivery of programs to senior decision makers include exploring the option of becoming a center to host e-learning events in the region. It is also exploring a video conference space to facilitate cross-country global dialogue. WBI will continue engaging in these conversations and support its progress. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- Long after the political uprisings in the Middle East have subsided, many underlying challenges that are not now in the news will remain. Prominent among these are rapid population growth, spreading water shortages, and growing food insecurity. In the Arab Middle East, where populations are growing fast, the world is seeing the first collision between population growth and water supply at the regional level. For the first time in history, grain production is dropping in a region with nothing in sight to arrest the decline. Because of the failure of governments to mesh population and water policies, each day now brings 10,000 more people to feed, and less irrigation water with which to feed them. Further information on EMWIS website.

7- Recently have entered into force two protocols for the Defence of the Mediterranean, introduced by the Barcelona Convention and endorsed by all Countries bordering the 'Mare Nostrum'. These protocols are related to the integrated management of coastal areas and offshore. "The entry into force of these two legal instruments," as said Maria Luisa Silva Mejias, secretary of the State Convention and the UNEP, the Environment Agency United Nations which is based in Athens, "enables Mediterranean region to prevent and better respond to the environmental threat linked  to the offshore platforms and the coastal degradation". The protocols provide a common response in case of incidents like the one that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and provide better preparation for coastal protection against climate change, thanks to a system of permits and joint monitoring. The document also contains a number of protective measures  for the coasts, such as the prohibition of construction within 100 meters from the sea and the obligation of impact assessments. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- The Water Development Department of the Cyprus Government has commissioned to Prothea services for the implementation of a modern and efficient biomonitoring network and to support the European Inter-Calibration process. This projects will last two years and will see several field campaigns involving local staff, the development of innovative bio-assessment methods, and support for compliance at European level regarding the management of temporary rivers in Cyprus. “This collaboration and know-how transfer with the Government of Cyprus is a unique opportunity to provide this new European Member State with a modern and innovative monitoring network of environmental quality as well as an informed management system for a key resource in this Mediterranean Country” states Daniele Demartini, Project Manager at Prothea. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- Reverse-osmosis desalination plants consume almost 4% of Malta's electricity supply, according to a statement from the newly-formed Malta Water Association (MWA) on 22 March 2011. The group, made up of hydrologists, engineers and other water experts, warned that urgent action is needed to protect Malta's water resources, which "are among the scarcest in the world and under severe stress." Malta is increasingly relying on desalination, which accounts for 56% of the country's water supply, according to statistics issued by the National Office of Statistics (NSO). The MWA notes that, with annual rainfall of 559 mm and a high population density, Malta can only provide 58 m³ of water per person. The European Union considers any country with less than 2,000 m³ per capita as having "very low" water resources. Private exploitation of groundwater is unquantified, but estimated at 22 million m³, according to Malta Today. However, NSO statistics show that a 31% decline in groundwater extraction by the Water Services Corporation in the past decade. This decrease is attributed to increasing salinity, with groundwater having to be blended with desalinated water for consumption. Natural aquifers also suffer nitrate pollution due to fertilizers, leakage from the sewage network and waste from animal farms.  Further information on EMWIS website.

10- Based on the expereince of the Observatory of the Sahara and Sahel (OSS) in the National Action Programmes to fight against desertification in three countries of the UMA (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), the idea came out to establish an early warning system at the level of UMA countries, and benefit from synergies and emulation inherent in working together at regional level. To sustain the gains decet experience throughout the Maghreb, OSS is currently working in partnership with UMA (Maghreb United) for the establishment of a "Maghreb Observatory for Drought Early Warning (OMAS-UMA)" which objective is to consolidate what is already existing to better prevent environmental degradation caused by drought through improved diagnosis of crisis and development of coping strategies oriented to agriculture that might contribute to food security in the Maghreb. The OMAS will focus on the production and dissemination of indicators of drought risk in relation to climate and anthropogenic pressures. The development of indicators must use all available approaches, satellite images, compilations of meteorological, climatic, biophysical and socio-economic data. Finally, the results of OMAS, set up, feed into national action plans and sub-regional and environmental policies implemented by the countries concerned. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- Libya warned last 4th of April that NATO-led air strikes could cause a "human and environmental disaster" if they damaged the country's massive Great Man-Made River (GMMR) project. Built at a cost of 33 billion dollars, the GMMR extracts water from deep beneath the Sahara desert at a depth of between 500 and 800 metres (1,600 to 2,500 feet), purifies it and transports it to the coastal cities of the north where most of the population is concentrated. Engineer and project manager Abdelmajid Gahoud told foreign journalists in the ultra-modern control centre on the outskirts of Tripoli, that a "human and environmental disaster" was on the cards if the GMMR was hit. He said three pipelines, one for gas, one for oil and another for water, run underground parallel to the 400-kilometre-long (248 miles) road from the eastern city of Benghazi to Moamer Kadhafi's home town of Sirte, through the area between Ajdabiya and Sirte where there have been many coalition air raids. Conceived in the 1960s and launched in the 1980s by Kadhafi as part of a plan to make Libya self-sufficient in food, the GMMR provides 70 percent of the population with water for drinking and irrigation. A total of 4,000 kilometres of pipeline were laid at a depth of two to three metres, he said, crossing the country from south to north and making the GMMR the largest and most expensive irrigation project in history. It is designed to pump water from Libya's vast, underground Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System in the south to populated coastal areas in the north where most of the country's six million inhabitants live and work. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- Despite vast differences in size, China and Israel share several challenges, water scarcity being among the most critical. Israel's expertise in water technologies includes desalination, advanced irrigation, water recycling and water management. With a population of just over 7 million, Israel has some 166 water technology enterprises, including 91 companies offering water efficiency solutions, 50 firms specializing in wastewater reuse and desalination, and another 25 offering water control and command systems. Israel is home to the three largest desalination plants in the world. With its wheat crops in danger, an ongoing drought in the north, growing desertification and environmental challenges, China needs large-scale solutions, and Israeli technology offers just that. But China's partnership with Israel over water-related issues is hardly new. In a recent venture, the Chinese company Haier partnered with an Israeli firm to produce high-quality drinking water via an end-user filter system. Israeli technology was also recently used to build a huge reverse osmosis desalination plant in Tianjin. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- The Regional Council of Ramat Ha Negev (Israel) announced last April 26th, 2011, the construction of a processing wastewater plant. NIS 80 million (€ 16 million) have already been invested by the Ministry of Defence and The Ha Ramat Negev Regional Council for the Development of the Project. The plant initially will process 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater from military bases in the Negev and the various towns in the region. The treated water will be used for irrigation of olive groves and other crops in the Negev. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- The World Bank has approved a grant of US$3 million to the Gaza Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) to fund cost overruns in the implementation of a US$ 31 million project to improve access and delivery of water and sanitation services to people in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Emergency Water Project (GEWP), which was approved in 2005, has suffered a number of delays due to hostilities and access restrictions on material and personnel which also resulted in an increase in project related costs. The grant will ensure continued water and waste service delivery to the citizens of Gaza, and finance rehabilitation of water and sanitation networks – including pumping stations, water wells and effluent treatment plants. The grant will also be used to procure the information technology necessary to manage integrated systems. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- On 31 January 2011, the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRC) and Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in fields of health care, water, sanitation, and other services for the Palestinian people. The MoU represents the Qatar and Palestinian Red Crescents’ joint commitment to improving the services available to all Palestinian people, whether in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, refugee camps throughout the region, or the Diaspora. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- The Awali-Beirut Water Conveyance project aims to provide secure and safe water supply from southern Lebanon to the developing urban areas of Beirut. The Council of Development and Reconstruction (CDR) has engaged MWH to update the feasibility study of Awali-Beirut Water Conveyance project, which was carried out in 1994, and to prepare tender documents. The main focus of the feasibility study update is to analyse the differences between the situation in 1994 and at present. This is also to review the option of water conveyance through tunnels, which were identified in the 1994 study as the preferred option. The Awali-Beirut scheme is divided into three packages: 24 kilometres of water tunnels, 26,000 m³/day water treatment plant, and finally 30 kilometres of water pipelines and service reservoirs. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- Water experts from 32 countries called at early April 2011 for subsidising water efficiency programmes and improving public involvement strategies to achieve water reduction targets. At the conclusion of the sixth International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Conference on Efficient Use and Management of Water (Efficient 2011) on Thursday, the experts underscored the importance of training and capacity building in water efficiency. They underscored the importance of water loss management, noting that countries in the Middle East and North Africa region struggle to recover lost water which should be delivered to subscribers instead of being wasted. During the conference’s closing session, Ministry of Water and Irrigation Secretary General Maysoon Zu’bi announced the establishment of the Jordan Water Community Development Fund. Such fund will support the implementation of water demand management projects for low-income communities to improve the quality of life and support the socio-economic development in their areas. Zu’bi added that the new initiative will support water efficiency projects, such as water harvesting, grey water use and maintenance of households’ internal networks among other ventures. The conference, organised by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, USAID and the IWA, was designed to shed light on the current global water crisis and find solutions to water challenges, particularly for countries that suffer from water scarcity such as Jordan. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- Water sector experts and decision makers called last 24 March for stricter enforcement of water-related laws and regulations for better protection of Jordan’s scant water resources. They said laws and regulations protecting the country’s water resources exist, but criticised their weak enforcement, which allows for violations and thus depletion of the precious resource. During a workshop organised by the USAID-funded Public Action in Water, Energy and Environment Project and the National Campaign for Public Awareness of the Drivers of Change, participants analysed consumption patterns in agriculture, households and large establishments, such as hotels and hospitals. After reviewing water laws and regulations, participants concluded that there is a need to draft legislation regulating water consumption in apartment buildings.  Durgham said. Participants also criticised laws that allow farmers to extract 1,500 cubic metres of water from underground wells free of charge and for activating green building codes for efficient use of water and energy. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- As one of the five most water poor countries in the world, the country has attracted finance to help bring its water and wastewater infrastructure up to scratch. In October 2010, the United States' Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pledged to invest just over $275 million to improve water distribution and wastewater collection in the northeast city of Zarqa in Jordan. The investment is set to benefit three projects to improve water supply, wastewater collection and treatment. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded AECOM a US$28 million, five-year task order in Amman for water reuse and environmental conservation. This was part of the Water Reuse and Environmental Conservation Project launched by USAID and the Jordanian Government. Aims of the project include strengthening the government's ability to monitor and regulate industrial water pollution, improve wastewater treatment and public awareness of water reuse. USAID aid-supported a project to upgrade the AsSamra wastewater treatment plant that treated water from Zarqa and Amman. That plant discharges into the Zarqa river, which flows to the King Talal Dam reservoir, which feeds the King Abdullah Canal in the Jordan Valley. Most of that water ends up being used agriculturally. Further information on EMWIS website.

20 - Building on the support gained from the September 9th, 2010 EU resolution calling on leaders in the Middle East to address the state of the Jordan River, and which called upon the European Commission to consider allocation of financial resources to help rehabilitate the river, the EU Parliament adopted a resolution on 7th of April 2011 on the ‘review of the European Neighbourhood Policy – Southern Dimension’. This will include, as a follow-up to the resolution on the Jordan River adopted last year, the following text: “Reiterates its call on the Council, the Commission and the EU Member States to encourage and support a comprehensive plan to rectify the devastation of the Jordan River and to continue to provide financial and technical support for the rehabilitation of the river, and the Lower Jordan River in particular, also in the the framework of the UfM”. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- The Consortium of the U@MARENOSTRUM is announcing the end of the project. The project was launched under the eParticipation programme 2008 and was co-funded by the European Commission. The project was developed between 1st of January 2009- 31st of March 2011. U@MARENOSTRUM facilitated the development of an online dialogue between citizens and official representatives of the participating regions (Ionian Islands Region in Greece and the Valencia Region in Spain ) on issues regarding water protection and management in the Mediterranean . The main objective of U@MARENOSTRUM was to contribute in the enhancement of citizens’ engagement with the political process via their active participation in the online dialogue. The online discussion between citizens and public authorities of the participating regions was initiated with the launch of the platforms. The Greek platform hosted by Ionian Islands Region was launched on January 2010, while the Spanish platformhosted by the Valencia Region on April 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- The European Technology Platform for water (WssTP) released its Position Paper on FP8 to create a Water Fund to the European Commission and to its members. WssTP advocates launching a “Water Programme” under the future research programmes of the European Commission. A successful programme will ensure that there is commonality and alignment of strategic goals between the different funding mechanisms promoted by the Commission. The objectives and ambitions of such a programme is to coordinate funds allocated to water research and coordinate with other key challenges that involve directly or indirectly water in their scope i.e. energy, construction, climate change, minerals, agriculture, health.  Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins was organized in the framework of the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UNECE Water Convention) from 12-13 April 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland. More than 150 participants, including from outside the UNECE region, exchanged experiences and discussed the specific challenges of adapting water management to climate change in transboundary basins. Discussions focused on: avoiding negative impacts of adaptation strategies in neighboring countries; maximizing benefits of cooperation; assessing how climate change affects waters; adapting to climate change impacts on agriculture, navigation and hydropower; and using ecosystems for adaptation. Participants also engaged in drawing preliminary observations from the pilot projects on adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins under the UNECE Water Convention. During the workshop, different approaches for adaptation and dealing with uncertainty were discussed, and the role of transboundary cooperation was recognized in order to prevent negative impacts of unilateral adaptation measures and to enable better and more cost-effective solutions.  Further information on EMWIS website.

24- Scientists in the UK have found a new way to produce water efficient seeds that they claim will help plants cope with drought resistance, thereby contributing to global food security. The research was partially supported by the PHARMA—PLANTA ('Recombinant pharmaceuticals from plants for human health') project, which clinched EUR 12 million under the 'Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health' Thematic area of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The need to breed plants that are drought resistant is becoming ever more necessary as the impact of climate change makes itself felt around the world and drought becomes a problem in an increasing number of countries, including those not traditionally seriously affected by the phenomenon.  Further information on EMWIS website.

25- The JMP (Joint Monitoring Programme) for Water Supply and Sanitation serves as the official mechanism of the United Nations for monitoring access to drinking-water and sanitation, and for reporting globally on the status of Drinking-Water and Sanitation coverage. The coverage estimates are used to measure progress towards MDG Target 7c, “To halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking-water and basic sanitation”. The JMP source says that “Currently the JMP database includes 729 nationally representative household surveys and 152 Censuses. Almost all of these come from developing regions and to a lesser extent from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Since a census in many developed countries is no longer used to collect information on water and sanitation, the JMP largely relies on administratively reported data for the developed countries. The JMP database currently includes 318 administratively reported data for developed countries.” Further information on EMWIS website.

26- On World Water Day, 22 March 2011, the European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU) calls on the European Union and Member States to implement the United Nations resolution on the Right to Water and Sanitation without delay. The UN General Assembly voted on 28 July 2010 for this resolution which declares that access to water and sanitation services is a fundamental human right. Although this resolution has no binding authority, it expresses global consensus. Shamefully several EU Member States abstained. It is imperative that governments dedicate the necessary resources to ensure universal access to water and sanitation at an affordable price. Most governments can afford to do this, yet choose not to. This is a political problem, not a market problem. It is up to workers and trade unions, in alliance with civil society and other progressive forces to impose the necessary political pressure. EPSU  also states its support for public ownership and management of water and water utilities. Privatisation has induced inequalities and exclusion and has often led to steep water-rate hikes, water-service disruptions and unaccountable management. A recent trend is a return to public management of water services. Local governments’ awareness of market failures in public services is increasing. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- A case in point: there is a burning demand for improved governance in the Arab world now. But to frame useful responses to this demand, the timely gathering and release of detailed data is critical. Many types of data can be used to guide policy. Household surveys provide comprehensive data on household income and consumption, which enable governments to establish domestic poverty lines and develop targeted and efficient safety nets. Such survey information can be used to determine the beneficiaries of specific subsidies for example, so that help goes to the people who really need it. Labor force surveys facilitate the monitoring of trends in the labor market, as well as important indicators of flexibility, such as turnover rates and unemployment spells. Better data can also be used to promote investment by dispelling misconceptions. Improving governance in the Arab world requires strengthening data collection efforts and providing public access to data. The release of available data on households, labor, and firms would be a relatively easy but very important first step in showing more transparent governance. What cannot be measured, cannot be diagnosed and improved. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
=================================================

28- Specialist in water and climate change adaptation: DAI is accepting expressions of interest from qualified candidates for a USAID funded program on Water Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation. The program seeks to assess risks and vulnerabilities, support program design, and implement adaptation interventions primarily concerning water resources management. Closing date: 31 May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

29- Visualizing Your Water Footprint: The winners of the Urban Water Design Challenge, sponsored by Circle of Blue and Visualizing.org, were Harvard Grad School of Design students Joseph Bergen and Nicki Huang. Their submission allows viewers to scroll over a world map to compare indicators like urban population, water supply, water usage, and 'virtual water' embedded in different goods used. Check out the winning graphic at Circle of Blue, calculate your own water footprint at Visualizing.org, and check out another neat infographic by Visualizing.org that compares countries’ footprints with their biocapacity (e.g. use of renewable resources). Further information on EMWIS website.

30-The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education offers post-graduate courses and PhD research programmes in Delft, The Netherlands, and carries out research and capacity building projects all over the world. The Department of Water Engineering wishes to appoint a: Professor in Hydraulic Engineering – Land and Water Development. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
PUBLICATIONS
=================================================

31- "Water Wars: Hydropotential or Hydrohype?": Is a new article by REVOLVE magazine: Transboundary water issues affect nearly everyone. Water sources for 800 million people living in 39 countries originate beyond their national borders. What’s the real potential for water wars?  Further information on EMWIS website.

32- Economic Benefits of Access to a Healthy Lower Jordan River for Palestinian Economy: This report highlights the importance of a healthy Jordan River for the economic benefits of the West Bank, and to foster Palestinian political and public support for the rehabilitation of this historical river.  Further information on EMWIS website.

33- Palestine: Brief Report on Water Sector Reform, March 2011. Further information on EMWIS website (in Arabic)

34- "Towards a Living Jordan River: An Environmental Flows Report on the Rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River": This new environmental flows study provides a first-ever regional study of the Lower Jordan River undertaken by Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian experts. It identifies the current conditions of the Lower Jordan River and proposes a regional strategy to rehabilitate the historic river. This study concludes that 400-600 million cubic meters (mcm) of water are needed to rehabilitate the Lower Jordan River. FoEME recommends that Israel allocate 220 mcm, Syria 100 mcm and Jordan 90 mcm of water to meet this rehabilitation goal. In addition, FoEME recommends that Palestine, as a riparian to the river, receive a fair share of the Lower Jordan River's water resources. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- A Model Water Agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA): Different than the Oslo agreement, this model is based on a dynamic agreement between the sides, and suggests an alternative to the "temporary" agreement in place since 1995. The model presents an institutional structure with four critical bodies to implement the principles for joint management, where two central bodies lead the process: a "Bilateral Water Commission" and a "Water Mediation Board". Principles of joint management include: economically efficient water management; socially and politically equitable (not necessarily equal) water management; ecologically sustainable water management; management that would be implemented in practice. Further information on EMWIS website.

36- Conclusions of the International Symposium on foggara (CIFOG) (which was organised in Adrar/Algeria last 10 & 11 April 2011) are available online. The Foggara is a traditional system of collecting and channeling water into the Oasis, which has survived for centuries, but it can not meet present and future domestic and agricultural water, without resorting to modern drainage. Further information on EMWIS website.

37- The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has published the report "The MDGs in Europe and Central Asia: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward.” The review of achievements in the UNECE countries shows mixed results. The report formulates a series of recommendations, including to: enhance regional cooperation to address major MDG-related transboundary issues, such as international migration, cross-border water management, trade and transport facilitation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Further information on EMWIS website.

38- The report, International Waters: Review of Legal and Institutional Frameworks, has just been released. It is the most comprehensive report to date that summarizes legal frameworks for the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. This report discusses the legal and institutional frameworks that apply to twenty-eight (28) international water bodies that were identified as part of the United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility (“UNDP-GEF”) Good Practices and Portfolio Learning in GEF Transboundary Freshwater and Marine Legal and Institutional Frameworks project.  Further information on EMWIS website.

39- "The potential of green roofs to manage Urban Stormwater": This paper presents preliminary findings from a small-scale instrumented green roof test plot located in Sheffield, UK. During spring 2006 the average volume retention was 34% and the average peak reduction was 57%. Further information on EMWIS website.

40- River basin game: The University of Twente developed a computer-supported classroom game that illustrates various phenomena that take place when farmers compete over water. With whatever group you play, it’s always fun and a great learning experience. In this game, participants are farmers who try to optimise their benefits in farming by irrigating their fields. They have enough fertile land; water is the limiting factor. The game realistically illustrates various phenomena that take place when people use water in a river basin. Participants will learn about ‘the tragedy of the commons’, about cooperation, free-rider behaviour and upstream-downstream effects. Further information on EMWIS website.

41- "Estimating reference evapotranspiration using remote sensing and empirical models in a region with limited ground data availability in Kenya". Further information on EMWIS website.

42- Water and Justice: Peri-urban Pathways in Delhi: Peri-urban zones (between sub-urbs and countryside) pose a peculiar mix of challenges with respect to water governance and service delivery. This video attempts to paint a picture through the stories of three people-- a grandmother, a farmer and an activist—who have taken action get better water for their families and communities. Further information on EMWIS website.

43- WHO and IWA Publishing collaborate in the Journal of Water and Health. The last issue is available online. Further information on EMWIS website.

44- The International Desalination Association (IDA) announced the release of the 2010-2011 Desalination Yearbook. This annual publication is the essential desalination reference for plant owners, developers and contractors. Further information on EMWIS website.

45- MedPartnership launches new website: The UNEP/MAP GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem (MedPartnership) is a collective effort of leading organizations including UNESCO (regional, international, non-governmental, etc.) and countries sharing the Mediterranean Sea towards the protection of the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean. The MedPartnership is led by UNEP/MAP and the World Bank and is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and other donors, including the EU and all participating countries.  The Regional Project is being carried out in 13 GEF-eligible countries (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Montenegro, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority). The new website is aimed at providing information on the MedPartnership’s activities and achievements as well as on the events taking place not only in the frame of MedPartnership, but also elsewhere when the subject is related to the project’s activities. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
=================================================

46- ENPI CBC-MED Annual work programme for grants: Call for proposals on strategic projects & standard projects: According to the annual work programme for grants approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee, two calls for proposals are scheduled in 2011. 1. First call for proposals on strategic projects (two-step restricted procedure) focusing on 6 topics within Programme Priorities 1 and 2. • Indicative launch date: May 2011 • Indicative amount allocated: € 62,4 million ; 2. Second call for proposals on standard projects (one-step open procedure) focusing on the 4 Programme Priorities. • Indicative launch date: October 2011 • Indicative amount allocated: € 38,8 million. Further information on EMWIS website.

47- Call for demonstration projects Sustainable Water Integrated Management in the Mediterranean: Open Call for Proposals (EuropeAid/131046/C/ACT/Multi) in the framework for the European Neighbourhood and Partnership (ENP) financial co-operation with Mediterranean countries. The demonstration projects will address sustainable integrated water management and de-pollution of the Mediterranean, within the areas of intervention set in the draft Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean and the Horizon 2020 Initiative, with a total budget of EUR 15.000.000. Deadline for submission of proposals: 14 June 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

48- The 2011 LIFE+ Call for Proposals was published by the European Commission on 26 February 2010. The fifth LIFE+ call for proposals was published on 26 February 2011, with up to €267 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication. Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 18 July, 2011. National authorities will then send them to the European Commission by 9 September, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

49- Egypt: Improving the capacity of the Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) - Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development. Intended timing of publication of the procurement notice: May 17th, 2010. No applications or requests for information should be sent at this stage. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
CALL FOR PAPERS
=================================================

50- "INSPIRE Annex II and III Data Specification Testing: Call for Participation": By the end of June 2011, the over 180 experts organized in 19 Thematic Working Groups will have provided their proposals for the draft INSPIRE data specifications of 25 data themes. These proposals, along with the results of the stakeholder consultation and testing, will be the basis for proposals for the INSPIRE Implementing Rules Legal Act. The Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) and INSPIRE Consolidation team (CT) will use the results of the testing as input for the work on version 3.0 of the specifications. The testing activities will take place between 20 June and 21 October 2011.  Further information on EMWIS website.

51- The workshop on equitable access to water and sanitation will be held in Geneva on 4 and 5 July 2011, in the framework of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health. This workshop calls for contributions to support the realization of the human right to water and sanitation. Contributions are invited by 16 May 2011 to the UNECE secretariat. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- ESOF2012 - Call for Scientific Proposals: The interdisciplinary, pan-European EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF2012) has opened a call for session proposals. Proposals are welcome in a wide range of scientific fields. ESOF2012 will take place in Dublin from 11 to 15 July 2012. The Call for Scientific Session proposals has been launched. Proposals are welcome in a wide range of themes: Food, Health, "Energy, environment and climate", "Science and Culture", "Science: Reshaping the frontiers of knowledge", "Information", and "Science, Education and Innovation policy". The deadline for submissions is: 30 June 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

53- Call for papers for TIAC’12 - IV International Conference on Technology Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers / III International Symposium on Coastal Aquifers and Desalination Plants: Deadline for receipt of summary: October 31, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

54- Call for abstracts for the 2nd International Symposium on the Management and Preservation of Water Resources (CIGPRE 2) to be held in Meknes (Morocco) in the period [04/27/2012 to 04/29/2012]. The deadline for submissions is: 31 October 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

55- A call for abstracts for the 3rd Edition of the International Congress Waters, Waste and Environment (EDE3) organised by the university Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez-Morocco, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz and Laboratory of Biotechnology in partnership with Veolia Water STI. This congress will be held at the Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz- Fez-Morocco 21, 22 and 23 November 2011. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
TRAINING
=================================================

56- The Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) organizes the second training course titled “GIS for Water Utilities” under the Water Utilities Management Capacity Building Program (WUM-CBP). This program is organized in cooperation with Engicon O&M and the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste (DWA). The training course will be held in Amman , Jordan from the 5^th – 9^th of June 2011. Deadline for applications: 26^th of May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

57- "Closer collaboration with Arab countries: UN-SPIDER gives training course in Riyadh and attends meetings in Jeddah": UN-SPIDER staff visited the Training College of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences to give a half-day lecture. The aim of these introductions was to raise awareness of the UN-SPIDER Programme and to assess potential for future support and cooperation on various activities. Further information on EMWIS website.

58- Training courses in connection with world water week in Stockholm, August 2011: The global water crisis is a crisis of poor governance and management of water. Vital for good water governance is a well-trained group of people working in various sectors related to water management. In response to this need Cap-Net/UNDP and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) plan to offer training events in connection with the World Water Week (WWW) in Stockholm in August 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

=================================================
EVENTS (Full Agenda)
=================================================

=================================================
PROJECTS (Projects database)
=================================================

WATER PROJECTS DATABASE (MEDA-NIPs, MEDA-Water, LIFE, SMAP, INCO-MED, FP4-FP7, INTERREG, etc.)

===============================================
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
===============================================
ABOUT EMWIS (Priorities, Activities, Objectives, Structure, Funding, Team)
WATER in the EURO-MED PARTNERSHIP (MEDA programme, Key dates, European Neighbourhood Policy)
EMWIS NATIONAL WEBSITES: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Cyprus, Malta, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg
EMWIS WATER MULTILINGUAL THESAURUS (Available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish & Italian)- Water glossaries
DOCUMENTATION (EMWIS meetings, Documentary database, Funding for water, Key documents, Water Legislation)
WHO DOES WHAT IN THE WATER SECTOR (By contacts, organisations & information sources)
PARTNERS & SPONSORS (OIEau, CEDEX, SOGESID, EC, INBO, IME, GWP-Med, MED-EUWI, SMAP-RMSU)
MEDA-WATER PROJECTS (ADIRA, EMPOWERS, EMWater, IrWA, ISIIMM, MEDAWARE, MEDROPLAN, MEDWA, Zer0-M)
WATER INITIATIVES (MED-EUWI, WFD, INCO-MED, LIFE, MEDSTAT, SMAP, EXACT, UNEP-MAP, MSSD, HORIZON 2020, Union for the Mediterranean) & Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism
FORUM ; FAQ ; TOPICS (MedWIP, Water scarcity, groundwater, wastewater reuse, desalination, satellite data, etc)
SEARCH EMWIS WEBSITE
EMWIS SITEMAP
=================================================
CONTACT US
=================================================
- This is a monthly Flash provided by the EMWIS Technical Unit (sent to: 17623 subscribers), to which you can get a free subscription, click here for an open subscription.
- The EMWIS Flash gives you regular and quality information on the water sector in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The main headlines are: Institutions, Documentation, Training, Research and Development, Data Administration. You will also find updates on: international events, relevant web sites, the Euro-Med Water programme of the European Commission, and much more ...
- This Flash exists also in French and Arabic, you can view it and also the previous issues in our website.
- This Flash is also yours, please give us your comments and information to improve it Contact the EMWIS Technical Unit.
=================================================