FAO leads dialogue on water scarcity in agriculture at World Water Week 2024
During World Water Week 2024, held at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners took centre stage in a session titled "Countries and Partners Step Up Collaboration Towards Resilient Agrifood Systems." This session, held on 29 August, highlighted the urgent need to address water scarcity in agriculture—a challenge that threatens global food security, particularly in regions where agriculture accounts for 72 percent of freshwater withdrawals.
FAO's key interventions and strategic role
FAO is actively leading efforts to combat water scarcity through the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative and its Inter-Regional Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS). The iRTP-WS serves as a collaborative platform to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices among experts, stakeholders, and donors, focusing on scaling up water-related actions to address water scarcity and food insecurity. By developing integrated, science-based solutions, FAO aims to mitigate the impact of water scarcity on agriculture and food security. At the session, Heba Al Hariry, FAO’s Land and Water Officer for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, highlighted the organization's commitment to developing integrated, science-based solutions. Al Hariry stated, “Through the iRTP-WS, we aim to bridge the gap between science and policy by facilitating cross-regional dialogues and engaging countries in collaborative efforts to develop effective solutions to water scarcity.” She also emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making and the role of both bilateral and multilateral dialogues in advancing water management strategies.
Promoting cross-regional cooperation and innovation
FAO’s interventions through the (iRTP-WS) are strategically focused on several key areas. The organization is leading efforts to enhance cross-regional cooperation, encouraging countries to share experiences and best practices in water management. This collaborative approach aims to generate comparative results across regions and develop integrated-holistic solutions. In addition, FAO is advancing evidence-based decision-making by developing tailored guidelines and toolkits to help countries standardize tools and methods for addressing water scarcity. These efforts include facilitating regular cross-regional discussions on complex development challenges to exchange methods and understand their limitations.
Building capacity and engaging stakeholders
Moreover, FAO is committed to supporting innovative solutions and capacity building by promoting joint research initiatives and innovation opportunities, particularly in the use of WEFE Nexus approaches. The organization is also strengthening engagement with non-governmental actors, including the private sector and academia, to create a comprehensive approach to water management. Through the iRTP-WS, FAO is actively working towards developing a capacity development agenda that aligns with national priorities, ensuring that countries see tangible benefits from their participation.
Outcomes and future directions
The session also reviewed the outcomes of the "Towards a High-level Dialogue on the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) - Technical Preparatory Meeting," which was held in Rome earlier this year. These outcomes will inform the upcoming "High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on WASAG" scheduled for 17 October, 2024, at the World Food Forum, aimed at enhancing the impact and visibility of the WASAG partnership.
FAO’s participation in World Water Week 2024 highlights its commitment to sustainable water management and resilient agrifood systems. Looking ahead, FAO will also be actively involved in the upcoming Cairo Water Week (CWW) 2024, from 13th to 17th October in Cairo, Egypt. CWW 2024 will focus on "Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities," exploring sustainable practices to enhance resilience against climate change and water scarcity. FAO’s involvement aims to advance collaboration, share knowledge, and develop solutions to address water challenges in the MENA region and beyond.