About Arab Water Council (AWC)
Arab Water Council (AWC) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the sustainable use of water resources in the Arab region. The council was established in 2004 and has since been working towards its vision of integrated water resources management in the Arab countries.
The Arab region is known for its arid climate, which makes it one of the most water-scarce regions in the world. The demand for water is increasing due to population growth, urbanization, and economic development. This has put immense pressure on existing water resources, leading to overexploitation and degradation of these resources.
To address these challenges, AWC works towards promoting cooperation among Arab countries for sustainable management of shared water resources. The council provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and private sector entities.
One of AWC's key initiatives is promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practices in the region. IWRM is an approach that seeks to balance competing demands on water resources while ensuring their sustainability over time. It involves managing all aspects of water resources – from source to tap – through a participatory process that involves all stakeholders.
AWC also focuses on capacity building activities aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills related to IWRM practices among professionals working in the field of water management. These activities include training programs, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
Another important area where AWC works is promoting research and development related to sustainable use of water resources in the Arab region. The council supports research projects aimed at addressing critical issues such as climate change impacts on freshwater availability; groundwater depletion; wastewater treatment; desalination technologies; etc.
In addition to its core activities related to IWRM promotion and capacity building activities, AWC also engages with other regional organizations working towards similar goals such as League Of Arab States (LAS), United Nations Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), etc., as well as international organizations like World Bank Group (WBG), United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), etc.,
In conclusion,
Arab Water Council plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable use of scarce freshwater resource across various sectors including agriculture , industry , domestic usage etc., by providing technical assistance , policy guidance , capacity building programs & research support . With its focus on Integrated Water Resources Management approach & collaborative efforts with various stakeholders across different sectors & regions , it aims at achieving maximum economic , social & environmental benefits from freshwater resource utilization while ensuring their sustainability over time .
arabwatercouncil.org
