First conference on Water Resources and Climate Change in MENA region: Meet urges comprehensive water resources management

The 1ST conference on Water Resources and Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region concluded at the Crowne Plaza hotel last 6th November under the auspices of Majid bin Said al Rawahi, Adviser at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources. The conference came out with a number of recommendations including the importance of enhancing the application of comprehensive water resources management, inclusion of climate change in national development plans and strategies and encouraging transfer and application of new technologies to match with climate changes.

The conference also urged governments to formulate and set up environment friendly regulations and establishments, drafting national strategies that conserve water and enhancing regional co-operation through exchange of information and expertise on water and climate change related issues. The conference also urged regional countries to enhance their capacities and raise awareness on water and climate change related issues and develop regional sustainability programme in collaboration with the respective international organisations.

It also called for conducting more researches to improve the current database on water resources and cope with climate changes in managing these resources. The conference also called for holding international conferences on water resources and climate change in the Middle East and North Africa twice a year, besides regular meetings and workshops for experts on new developments.