Arab states urged to upgrade national standards on water use

This came in a set of recommendations made by a two-day workshop on "Integrated Water Resources Management", organised last week by Environment Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT), Dubai Municipality and the United Nations Environment Programme-Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP-ROWA).

The workshop also urged Arab countries to conduct in-depth researches and studies with the objective of natioanlising water desalination technologies in the region; using renewable energies and protecting their surrounding environment; and attracting Arab investment in the manufacturing of appliances and instruments related to this field.

The member states were told to exchange information on matters related to water resources; their uses for different purposes; and the setting up of an integrated multi-purpose database which is linked to Geographical Information System and is updated on a regular basis.

An integrated water resources management concept should be applied, considering all its political, economical, social and environmental aspects, the workshop recommended. For this purpose, long-term, mid-term and short-term water policies should be formulated on a national level as well as in managing joint water lakes, coastal areas, mountainous areas and city-based water channels.

To introduce strategies for implementing approved water policies, the workshop urged member states to constantly update information on water resources, and how to provide new water resources. There should be a strict management of water demand and a balance should be achieved in the demand and supply of water for various sectors, with a cost-effectiveness concept.

Other recommendations included introducing legislation to reduce wastage of water and protection of water resources from pollution; expansion of modern technologies in creating scenarios for formulating water policies; offering constant training programmes to qualify national cadres; and applying an integrated awareness programme within the integrated water resources management concept and for different segments of the society using all available media.

The workshop was attended by several regional and international experts and professionals working in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management with the objective of exchanging experiences, knowledge and ideas on the actual status of applying water policies for sustainable development in the region, with an emphasis on Integrated Water Resources Management.