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The countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are among the most water-scarce countries in the world. As these countries deal with the challenges of meeting increasing demands for water due to growing populations and economic growth, they are also faced with increasing uncertainty due to climate change and diminishing returns on what were conventionally considered least-cost options for increasing water supply: namely: surface and groundwater water resources.
Responding to these challenges, some of the countries are driving technological innovations and inspiring creative approaches to adaptation. New and improved techniques of water resource mobilization and harvesting and non-conventional water resources are increasingly needed to safeguard essential services and sustain economic growth and development.
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) and the World Bank (WB) joined forces to address water scarcity in the region, promoting resilience and sustainability. Together they held a high-level forum to enhance water management, promote water-efficient technologies, unlock financing for essential projects, and discuss relevant policies and regulations.
The two-day forum, ‘Water Development Financing Forum for MENA’, featured a keynote address by His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a prominent advocate for water sustainability and regional cooperation, and former Chairman of the United Nations Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, and brought together regional Water ministers, Heads of Arab Coordination Group (ACG) member institutions, WBG experts, and water sector leaders.
The forum concluded with a call for collaborative action, urging governments, investors, development organizations, and financial institutions to join forces and accelerate progress through launching a dedicated Water Platform. The platform aims to equip countries of the MENA region with the necessary technical expertise, knowledge, and financial resources to implement sustainable water-related projects, an initiative proposed by the Arab Fund. This multi-sectoral approach will pave the way to making water projects bankable and more feasible.
Click here for more information about the forum:
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Abdel Samie Felfel
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Dr. Joseph El Helou
09:00 AM - 13:00 PM
Dr. Fawaz Al Ghamdi
09:00 AM - 13:00 PM
Dr. Joseph El Helou
09:00 AM - 13:00 PM
Josue BANGA, Climate Finance Specialist, World Bank
09:00 AM - 13:00 PM
Joel Kolker, Senior Advisor
09:00 AM - 13:00 PM