A Regional Network on Waste Water Reuse was launched during a Consultation organized jointly by FAO Regional Office for the Near East (RNE) and WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), in Amman, Jordan, during the period 12-14 November 2001. Participants to the Consultation included representatives from twelve countries and nine regional and international organizations active in the Near East Region.

The Network is the result of joint collaborative effort between countries of the Near East Region and several organizations concerned with the reuse of treated wastewater. The experience gained, particularly by FAO and WHO, and extensive consultations revealed that a Network is the best option for strengthening regional co-operation in the field of treatment of wastewater and its use in Agriculture. Its establishment is the materialization of several recommendations made during the past years, in response to both the potential benefits and the problems posed by the reuse of wastewater in the Region.

The main objective of the Network is to foster technical co-operation among the concerned institutions, particularly the exchange of information and experience among countries of the Region. The specific aims of the Network include:

1.       Promoting the safe and efficient use of treated wastewater for environmental protection and public health safety, and encouraging the safe use of this renewable source of water;

2.       Promoting voluntary exchanges of information and data on ongoing relevant activities, research, and results achieved, and organizing exchange of visits and study tours among member institutions;

3.       Establishing and developing regional bibliographic data bases, as well as directories for professionals and institutions in the field of wastewater treatment and reuse; 

4.       Strengthening the training capabilities and capacity building, and encouraging the appropriate training programmes in accordance with identified regional, and national needs and priorities;

5.       Disseminating of information among other institutions/organizations on issues pertinent to the above fields.

In pursuance of its objectives, the Regional Network shall assume the following functions:

1.       Convene a biennial workshop to discuss the Network’s  plan, evaluate programmes and review their implementation;

2.       Organize working sessions and seminars to discuss specific problems or undertake technical studies;

3.       Initiate alone, or in collaboration with other institutions and organizations, seminars, training courses, workshops, or other forums;

4.       Assess and review the current practices in the management and reuse of domestic and industrial treated wastewater;

5.       Help to strengthen the national information units in the field of wastewater treatment and reuse in member countries; Assist in collecting data related to monitoring of the health and environmental impacts of wastewater reuse, in close co-operation with WHO/EMRO.

6.       Promote joint activities among countries of the Region particularly in the field of training and research.

Additional information on the Network and its activities can be obtained by contacting:

Mohamed Bazza

Senior Irrigation and Water Resources Officer

FAO Regional Office for the Near East. Cairo, Egypt.

Phone: 00 20 2 331 6000

e-mail: Mohamed.Bazza@fao.org

There shall be three types of members:

A.      National focal points

B.       Independent participants

C.      Honorary participants

1.       One “focal point” and one alternate focal point shall be designated by the Government of each country of the Region, willing to participate in the Network. The focal point and the alternate focal point in each country of the Region shall be from different national institutions and shall have different fields of expertise (e.g. agriculture and health)

2.       Independent participants:

A.      Regional and international institutions and organizations undertaking similar activities and operating in the Region;

B.       National institutions directly concerned with the objectives of the Network;

C.      Research centers on land, water, health and environment, operating inside or outside the Region;

D.      Agricultural research-oriented private sector institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and natural resources management institutions;

E.       Other organizations or bodies as may be decided by the Secretariat of the Network.

3.       Honorary participants shall be institutions or individuals from within or outside the Region, which provide moral, material, technical, or financial support to the Network.

4.       Membership in the Network shall be acquired by submitting an application to the Secretariat of the Network. Admission to membership shall be effective upon notification by the Secretariat.