he Arab Water Forum will take place in Abu Dhabi from September 16 to 18, 2024, at ADNEC. This event is organized by the Arab Water Council and DMG Events, under the auspices of the League of Arab States, and in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation from Egypt.
Held every three years, the Arab Water Forum has been a pivotal event for 16 years, establishing itself as a key platform for promoting strategic collaboration and unifying efforts aimed at building a sustainable future centered on water resource management. The sixth session will feature an international exhibition accompanied by a comprehensive program comprising over 17 distinct sessions, including keynote addresses, interactive discussions, and case studies focused on developing effective policies and strategies to foster solutions and partnerships that ensure a resilient and secure future for water resources both regionally and globally.
The event will showcase elite speakers, including His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council; His Excellency Prof. Dr. Hani Sewailam, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; His Excellency Dr. Awn Tayeb Abdullah, Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources; His Excellency Ahmed Abul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League; His Excellency Ms. Zhou Zhongqin, Deputy Minister of Water Resources of China; His Excellency Mr. Luc Fucheon, President of the World Water Council; and His Excellency Mohamed Abu El-Ein, member of the Egyptian National Assembly.
Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid emphasized, “We are facing significant challenges related to water scarcity in the current era. The 2024 World Water Conference and the sixth Arab Water Forum aim to highlight efforts to ensure sustainable access to water for all. This event is designed to attract decision-makers, leaders, and innovators to develop innovative solutions safeguarding our water resources for future generations.”
He continued, “Water scarcity is a pressing issue for the Arab region, affecting energy, food, and social welfare sectors. In light of the coordinated efforts between the UAE and other countries to address this crisis, the sixth Arab Water Forum offers a dialogue platform that brings together experts and decision-makers focused on water challenges.”
The forum will facilitate dialogue and interactive sessions with a panel of international experts, including a workshop titled “Interlinkages between Water, Energy, Food Security, and Ecosystems: Best Practices and Management.” This workshop will foster valuable discussions highlighting the close relationships between the water supply, energy, food, and ecosystem sectors within the MENA region. These sessions will explore cutting-edge solutions and best practices for optimizing shared resources among these vital sectors.
Ambassador Al-Moataz Abadi, Deputy Secretary-General for Water, Environment, and Blue Economy at the UfM, stated, “The integrated interconnections between water, energy, food, and ecosystems are crucial in our efforts to strengthen regional and local cooperation to tackle challenges faced by these vital sectors.” The Union continues to advocate for sustainable management of natural resources and bolster community resilience across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa by adopting a comprehensive and collaborative approach to planning and fostering partnerships.
He added, “Achieving effective integration between water supply, energy, food production, and ecosystems requires the active involvement of all stakeholders and local communities in decision-making processes through comprehensive management that promotes their efficient participation. Today, we can pave the way to transform interrelated problems in water, energy, food, and ecosystems into promising opportunities for sustainable development.
