The Water Leaders Forum finds solutions to Arab world water issues

Leaders from the water sector in the Arab world today called for solutions to the Arab world's water problems that included looking at green growth; renewed dialogue and diplomacy to resolve transborder water issues; more capacity building and professional development of senior water managers in the region; a shift to demand management; and recognition that resolving issues goes beyond technical solutions and must include politics and more communication.

The Forum organized by the Arab Water Academy discussed finding solutions to secure the water future of the Arab world. Attending were H. E. Dr. Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, Minister of Water Resources, Iraq; H.E. Eng. Abdul Rahman Fadhl Al-Eryani, Minister of Water and Environment, Yemen; H.E. Eng. Kamal Ali Mohammed, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Sudan; H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al-Saud, Deputy Minister for Water, Ministry of Water and Electricity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, SG Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Vice President of the Arab Water Academy, United Arab Emirates; Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council; Mr. Hedi Larbi, The World Bank, Country Director for Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iran and Iraq; Mrs. Chahra Ksia, The Arab League, President of the Center for Arab Water Security; Dr. Shawki Barghouti, Director General, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture; Prof. Andras Szollosi-Nagy, President of UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education; Mr. Atem Ramsundersingh, CEO of STB technologies Singapore; and Prof. Gary Jones, CEO eWater-CRC, Australia.

During the Forum there was a unique opportunity for people to interact directly with the Ministers and question them on water issues.

Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, in his opening remarks, stated, "By organizing this conference and welcoming Arab water leaders here in the United Arab Emirates, you mark the importance given to water issues and more broadly to the future of water in the world."

During the Forum there was a unique opportunity for people to interact directly with the Ministers and question them on water issues.

Presentation Note Agenda Press Articles HH Sheikh Mohammed's Visit

The Arab Water Academy (AWA) was launched in July 2008, in Abu Dhabi as a regional center of excellence for water policy deliberation and executive education in water issues. The AWA's focus is on strengthening the knowledge and skills of Middle East and North African decision makers to address change and effectively manage the region's water challenges. The AWA was initiated by the Arab Water Council and is hosted by the EAD and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). It is supported by the government of Abu Dhabi, the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.

The Water Leader's Forum is the first time that so many high level water officials have been brought together to discuss solutions to the Arab world's water issues.

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Contact information	Asma El Kasmi, PhD; Director, Arab Water Academy (AWA): PO Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE (email: director@ead.ae) Phone: +971 2 693 4742 ; Fax: +971 2 499 7245
News type	Inbrief
File link	http://www.ameinfo.com/237546.html
Source of information	Arab Water Academy (AWA)
Subject(s)	DRINKING WATER , DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION : COMMON PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT , ENERGY , HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , WATER DEMAND
Relation	http://awacademy.ae/id19.htm
Geographical coverage	United Arab Emirates, International
News date	23/07/2010
Working language(s)	ENGLISH , FRENCH

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