inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS)
inter-Regional Technical Platform – Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS)
Delivering on SDG 6 and SDG 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is considered a cornerstone towards achieving the global goal of "Leaving
No One Behind". Yet, despite continuous global and national efforts, it remains a challenge. Various regional and global reports indicate deficiencies threatening the achievement of the objectives of the water-related targets in the 2030 Agenda.
According to the 2020 FAO State of food and agriculture report, water scarcity currently affects 3.2 billion people, of whom 1.4 billion live in rural areas, and 60% of irrigated lands are highly water-stressed. In the absence of urgent action, the situation will deteriorate, under the combined effects of a growing population, economic development, and climate change.
Highlights
Cairo Water Week 2022
Water at the Heart of Climate Action 16th-19th October 2022
News
Supporting the Implementation of National Drought Plans: Integrating National Drought Plans into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) - Colombia
31/08/2023
FAO and the UNCCD, are currently supporting the operationalization of national drought plans across several countries according to the principles of...
Arab Women Network for Water and Sanitation Launched, Empowering Women in the Region!
28/08/2023
In a landmark development for gender equality and sustainable water management, the Arab Women Network for Water and Sanitation (AWNWS) was officially...
Blogs
Blog- Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation
From the UN 2023 Water Conference to COP28 – a “watershed moment” to Bridge the Divide between Food and Water Systems Resilience!
by Ingrid Timboe - 20/08/2023
The food and water sectors are inseparably linked, however, they are too often governed and managed independently, which can have catastrophic results when combined with increasing water variability due to climate change. On the Occasion of CoP28, this blog examines ways to elevate food and water to the very top of the climate agenda.
Blog-Integrated Water Resources Management
Partnering with WRI’s Africa Cities Water Adaptation (ACWA) Fund to Implement Kigali Wetlands Restoration NBS Project
by Eric Oyare, WWF BHoA Initiative Lead - 24/07/2023
This blog provides information on the outcomes of the bilateral collaboration between WRI and WWF BHoA, which resulted in plans to fund the preparation of a Business Case for the financing of the Kigali Urban Wetlands Restoration case through the ACWA fund. This initiative was developed to protect Kigali city from flooding and improve the wellbeing of people in town by constructing urban wetlands.
Blog-Irrigation Management
Best Management Practices for Non-Conventional Water Resources Use in Irrigation
by Dr. Eng / Mohamed A. Shehata Wahba - 27/05/2023
This article offers valuable and useful practical alternatives to integrated water resource management - whether conventional or non-conventional- that should be considered in order to address the increasing pressure on water resources in many arid and semi-arid countries.
Knowledge products
Events
25/9
2023
FAO-RNE Regional Technical Dialogue on Water
Virtual Event, 25/09/2023
In preparation for the 37th session of the Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC 37), FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE) is organizing a virtual Regional Technical Dialogue on Water, titled “Water Use Efficiency and Water Productivity within Sustainabil...
4/10
2023
5/10
2023
Rome Water Dialogue 2023
Hybrid Event, 04/10/2023 - 05/10/2023
Following the first edition of the Rome Water Dialogue hosted by FAO in November 2022 and building on the UN 2023 Water Conference, FAO is committed to continue its Water Journey towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, providing the necessary platform for cross-sectoral discussions.
E-learnings
Best Practices
What Water Means for One Farmer, Once a Migrant Now a Returnee, in Kenya
22/03/2021
Water. For all people, it means health, hygiene and hydration. For the spiritual, it can mean a connection with creation, community or oneself. For...
Sharing Water in Rwanda’s Breadbasket
27/08/2020
Water. For all people, it means health, hygiene and hydration. For the spiritual, it can mean a connection with creation, community or oneself. For...
Rainwater Harvesting and Agroecological Irrigation Make Farmers More Resilient in Senegal
23/03/2020
Last September in Senegal, more rain fell in a single day than in the usual 3-month rainy season. Intense rain in shorter periods of time followed by...
Water Catchment, Reserve and Promotion of Rational Use of Water in San Andres and Providencia, Colombia
01/10/2013
The increase in population in the Colombian archipelago increased the demand for water for human consumption and food production, which could not be...
Combination of Practices to Improve Environmental Protection and Production in Las Piedras River Basin in Colombia
31/07/2011
Las Piedras river basin that originates in the Colombian Massif is of great importance for Colombian hydrology, it is a tributary of the Cauca River...
Linking Water, Food, and Gender Equality for Sustainability: Learnings from Myanmar
31/12/2019
This study is a part of a three-year project which was initiated in 2019. It is proposed to be conducted in three phases and is now in its final phase....
Modernizing Irrigated Agriculture to Protect and Restore Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in South-East Asia
31/12/2021
The project is under implementation. It is being implemented in three phases between 2019 to 2021: each phase is approximately a year long. Asia contains...
Irrigation Performance Assessment Project Cambodia
31/12/2020
The yearlong project was implemented between Oct 2019 to Dec 2020. This project is part of the Next Generation Irrigation and Water Management for the...
Resilience Stories from Africa
31/12/2016
Today, 100 million people in Africa face acute hunger, and the continent’s population is expected to increase from 1.2 billion to 2.5 billion in 2050,...
Key databases and software models
- AQUASTAT: FAO’s global water information system
- AQUACROP: The industry-leading crop–water productivity software model
- AQUAMAPS: Global spatial database on water and agriculture
- CROPWAT: A decision support tool developed by the Land and Water Development.
- CLIMWAT: A climatic database.
Contacts
- Mohamed AlHamdi Senior Land And Water Officer
- Heba AlHariry Regional Technical Platform-Water Scarcity Advisor and Content Developer