Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Programme and Technologies for Water and Agriculture Sustainability presented at UNCCD COP16

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), hosted a joint event during the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) entitled ‘Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Programme: Enhancing Knowledge Across Sectors by Bridging the Data Gap’.

This event, showcasing FAO's Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Programme, brought together experts and stakeholders to tackle critical water challenges in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. The session highlighted the transformative potential of data-driven tools, innovative technologies, and capacity-building efforts in addressing water scarcity.

Leveraging technology to bridge the data gap

Through presentations and discussions, participants explored how advanced geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and cloud-based platforms are bridging the data gap to enhance water management and agricultural productivity. Attendees learned about the NENA Evapotranspiration Network (ET-Network) as a model for standardized field data measurement and analytics, emphasizing the critical role of field data in enhancing the accuracy of agricultural water consumption estimates. They were also informed on how to view these data and the results of its use for assessing the accuracy of remote sensing-derived evapotranspiration data.

The event also featured the Souss-Massa Water Accounting Dashboard as a practical example of how innovative tools are driving informed decision-making for sustainable water resource management. A panel discussion with experts from the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-VIE) brought forward practical applications of these technologies. Discussions explored the integration of field data with remote sensing technologies, innovative approaches to water use efficiency, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering regional stakeholders to adopt data-driven strategies.

Key outcomes and takeaways

The session emphasized the collaborative efforts behind the FAO’s Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) programme addressing water and agriculture related issues in the NENA region. The audience became more aware about FAO geospatial platforms, and how geospatial technologies can be used in for water-agriculture applications, and accordingly make use of them for their own analysis and applications at their workplace. Additionally, the audience comprehend how countries from the region use these technologies and how they are integrated in day-to-day work.

The adoption of these technologies is expected to enable decision making with regard to improving agricultural water consumption, help refine policies and implement more targeted water management strategies. For instance, the ET-Network’s standardized methodologies could be adopted across the region to develop harmonized datasets that support regional and national decision-making. Similarly, tools like the geospatial platforms and water accounting dashboards offer potential for near real-time monitoring, helping policymakers and field practitioners allocate resources more efficiently and mitigate the effects of water scarcity.

Beyond the immediate knowledge exchange, the session laid the groundwork for lasting impact by fostering capacity development and collaboration among regional stakeholders. Participants are anticipated to integrate these technologies into their fields of expertise, advancing innovative approaches to water governance and sustainable agricultural practices. Ultimately, the session’s long-term objective was not only raise awareness but also toward empowering regional actors to address water scarcity collaboratively and effectively. This effort aims to improve agricultural resilience, optimize water use, and  develop the foundation for sustainable development in the NENA region.