Launching event of the Sub-RésEAU MENA / AGUASAN workshop on water management in the Middle East
In June 2022, SDC hosted both a launching event for the Sub-RésEAU MENA, followed by the 36th AGUASAN Workshop on "Water Management in times of Climate Change - finding actionable solutions for fragile contexts in the Middle East". The intensive exchange about potential actionable solutions allowed participants to deepen their understanding about the region's water context and to refine their current and future projects. The developed solutions during AGUASAN workshop were shared with the Sub-RésEAU MENA, serving as a thematic and strategic foundation for SDC's activity in the region.
About this Learning Journey
The 36th AGUASAN Workshop taking place form 5-8 June 2022 in Jordan was a key component contributing to the launch of the SDC Sub-RésEAU MENA. Its aim was to foster actionable solutions by water practitioners directly in a highly topical and relevant context. With a focus on «Water Management in Times of Climate Change: Finding actionable solutions for fragile contexts in the Middle East» the workshop, hosted by the SDC regional office in Jordan, gathered 35 participants at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
During 5 days the participants, including SDC staff and key partners from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Türkiye and Switzerland, intensively collaborated in 5 thematic working groups to co-create potential actionable solutions for the following water-climate issues which are highly relevant for the region:
- Groundwater resources management
- Wastewater treatment and reuse
- Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus
- Impact of multi-dimensional water scarcity on food security
- Smart WASH approach for refugee camps and host communities
The working groups have been invited to create fact sheets with their most important results. These have been share across profesional networks and partners, who potentially can make use of the results and can approach them with follow-up questions and activities. This included the discusison of results by the Sub-RésEAU MENA.
From 11 to 13 June 2022, representatives from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Switzerland, Syria, and Turkey participated in the launch of the Sub-RésEAU Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA). The launch event, hosted by the SDC regional office in Jordan, gathered SDC staff and key partners from the region. During three days, the 33 participants discussed key water issues and knowledge gaps in the region, learned from other projects and solutions, and shaped the future of the knowledge network. Immediately following the AGUASAN workshop, this face-to-face event was an excellent opportunity for the participants to identify upcoming activities and members' topics of interest, while establishing, expanding, and strengthening professional and personal contacts in the region. Incisive discussions were enabled on water-related knowledge gaps in the region, displaying challenges and successful solutions and comparing with other experiences from the MENA region.
Outcomes of the Learning Journey
More about water in the MENA region
Water Diplomacy
The Blue Peace Initiative (BPI) enhances water cooperation across borders, sectors and generations, fostering peaceful, cohesive, and sustainable societies. RésEAU supports regional water networks where BPI is active.
Water Diplomacy Center
The Water Diplomacy Center is a main partner of the Blue Peace Middle East (BPME) initiative, led by the BPME Regional Mechanism, represented by Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye.