Conference Documentation: "Water and Climate Change in the MENA-Region: Adaptation, Mitigation, and Best Practices" International Conference, April 28–29, 2011 in Berlin, Germany

Owing to the rising levels of greenhouse gases, the present global average increase in temperature stands at 0.8 °C, and for Europe even at 1 °C, since the beginning of the 20th century. This is having a concrete impact on global water resources. By 2080, 20% of the population will be living in highly flood-prone areas. The proportion of the population suffering from water scarcity due to declining annual rainfall will rise from 1.6 billion (1995) to 5 billion in 2050. The MENA-Region, southern Africa, large parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand and some countries in Latin America will be affected most severely by water scarcity. In Syria, for instance, the renewable water resources are expected to be halved by 2025. For the MENA-Region, the IPCC forecasts a temperature rise that will be higher than the global average temperature rise of 6.4 °C in 2100. The Arab Water Council (AW C) is assuming a drop in rainfall of up to 25% by 2060. Soil moisture will decrease by approx. 10% due to severe evaporation. Agricultural productivity will fall correspondingly, and the food security of the population in the region will be at risk. 

The International Conference: "Water and Climate Change in the MENA-Region: Adaptation, Mitigation and Best Practices" took place in Berlin (Germany) April 28–29, 2011.

Objectives:

• To discuss Impact of climate change on water resources in the Arab region
• To elaborate adaptation and mitigation strategies on local and regional levels
• To analyse the role of IWRM in the climate change aspects
• To assist the needs for capacity building activities to deal with the situation
• To discuss the possibilities of technologies and research application in the region in regard to climate change adaptation and mitigation
• To discuss the contribution and role of the civil society and the private sector.

Topics:

1. International aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation on water resources, adaptation polices and best practices
2. Current situation in the MENA-Region (Contributors from AWC, ACWUA, IUCN, GTZ, KfW, ACSAD, Universities)
3. Role of IWRM, sustainable water management and river basin cooperation
4. Socio-economic aspects, water prices, water efficiency
5. Water technologies and water research, innovative solutions, water and energy, waste water reuse
6. Capacity building, knowledge sharing.

Creator	Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Division Environment, Energy and Water Lützowufer 6–9 10785 Berlin T +49 30 25482-107 F +49 30 25482-103 I www.giz.de / Dr. Ismail Al Baz Senior Project Manager T +49 30 25482-107 F +49 30 25482-103 E ismail.albaz@giz.de (email: ismail.albaz@giz.de)
Publisher	Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Division Environment, Energy and Water Lützowufer 6–9 10785 Berlin T +49 30 25482-107 F +49 30 25482-103 I www.giz.de / Dr. Ismail Al Baz Senior Project Manager T +49 30 25482-107 F +49 30 25482-103 E ismail.albaz@giz.de
Type of document	Proceedings
Rights	Public
File link	http://www.menawater-2011-berlin.de/pdf/MENA_Doku_DS_241111_web.pdf
File link local	MENA_Doku_DS_241111_web.pdf (PDF, 2135 Kb)
Source of information	GIZ
Keyword(s)	climate change adaptation
Subject(s)	AGRICULTURE , HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , NATURAL MEDIUM , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , WATER DEMAND
Relation	http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/events/2011/04/international-conference-water-and-climate-change-mena-region-adaptation
Geographical coverage	Germany