The Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) convened its final workshop for the 2024–2025 biennium on 26–27 November 2025 in Cairo, marking a key milestone in advancing integrated responses to water scarcity through the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus.

Water accounting describes the systematic study of the status and trends in water supply, demand, accessibility, and use. In practice, proper water accounting enhances stakeholders’ ability to make well-informed decisions related to water use. In June 2024, Viet Nam’s Water Law 2023 came into effect – creating a legal obligation to carry out water accounting. Despite its existing experience with water accounting in the agricultural sector, Viet Nam has not been immune to the challenges of data inaccessibility and fragmentation that are nearly ubiquitous in Southeast Asia.

Managing water is undoubtedly a complex mandate, reflected in the multitude of organizations and initiatives active worldwide. However, before fair and effective allocation can be addressed, it is essential to first understand what water resources exist, where they are located, and how they are used.

FAO hosted a one-day validation workshop in Kampong Thom Province to mark the completion of the diagnostic report on water scarcity in the Stung Staung River Basin, prepared by the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and the water tenure assessment led by Dr. Solieng Mak of the Global Water Partnership, Cambodia.

The Asia-Pacific Water Scarcity Programme (WSP) reached a significant milestone in Thailand with the completion of the fifth and final Water Accounting Roadmap (WARM) workshop, held 23-26 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand with FAO, Alluvium-AMPERES, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), and other members of the National Multidisciplinary Team Working Group.

The Asia-Pacific Water Scarcity Programme (WSP), funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), held its Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Water Scarcity and Water Tenure in the Stung Staung River Basin on 20 May 2025 in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia.

On 8-9 April 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Alluvium-AMPERES, and the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) co-organized the fourth Water Accounting Roadmap (WARM) workshop in Bangkok, Thailand to present and discuss results from modelling activities for the pilot area, the Pa Sak River basin, under the Asia-Pacific Water Scarcity Programme (WSP).

With 90% of Lao PDR’s land area situated in the Lower Mekong River Basin, water is seemingly abundant in the country. However, a more granular investigation of water trends reveals a very different reality for Laos’ food producers – one carrying seasonal droughts and a progressively decreasing water supply where agriculture competes with cities. Managing the country’s water resources is further complicated in the face of population growth, rapid urbanisation, economic development, and the increasing impacts of climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation’s Water Scarcity Programme (WSP), aims to help member countries prepare for a productive future in the face of these challenges.

On March 26, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Department of Water Works Management and Construction (DWMC), in collaboration with FAO, launched the “Drought Impact Assessment in the Central Highlands, Vietnam” Technical Cooperation project. The initiative will pilot in Dak Lak and...

Asia is home to more than half of the world’s population, with 2.2 billion people relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. Yet demand for water—for food, energy, and industry—continues to rise, while supply is increasingly constrained by climate change and declining investment in agriculture. To help countries respond, FAO launched the Asia-Pacific Water Scarcity Programme (WSP), which supports governments in preparing for a more productive and climate-resilient future through water scarcity action planning, water accounting, and regional cooperation.

 FAO, in partnership with FutureWater has taken a decisive step in advancing Mongolia’s response to water scarcity. A comprehensive scoping study assessed the state of the country’s water resources, analyzing river basins, surface and groundwater reserves, transboundary flows, sectoral demands, climate change projections, and governance frameworks. It is shared with the government together with investment briefs.

FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for Thailand, co-hosted the International Soil and Water Forum from 9-11 December 2024 in Bangkok. As unsustainable agricultural practices, industrialization, urbanization, and climate change contribute to water scarcity as well as soil and land degradation, there is significant urgency behind addressing these challenges to halt worsening trends. Over the course of three days, more than 500 attendees from around the world gathered to discuss and identify strategies for managing water scarcity, reversing land degradation, promoting sustainable soil management, and implementing integrated climate-resilient approaches to land, soil, and water management.

25–26 March 2024, Thailand, Bangkok— FAO brought together 60 experts from across the region for the Regional Technical Workshop on Water Scarcity. Over two days, participants assessed progress under the Water Scarcity Programme (WSP) and joined forces to chart its next phase, setting the stage for stronger regional collaboration on one of Asia’s most pressing challenges exacerbated by climate vagaries.

FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE), in collaboration with FAO office for Asia Pacific (FAO-RAP) and FutureWater, officially launched the Water Accounting Engine for Supporting WEFE Nexus Decision-Making (WatNEX) on 3 November 2025.

Held under the framework of the Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS), the event introduced WatNEX as a next-generation analytical tool that integrates water accounting, environmental flow assessments, and energy-efficiency modules to support evidence-based, cross-sectoral planning for sustainable Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) management.

The FAO Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) played an active role during Cairo Water Week 2025, held under the theme “Water for Climate Action.” Through a series of technical sessions, the Platform’s team highlighted FAO’s commitment to advancing innovation, resilience, and evidence-based decision-making for water-resilient agrifood systems.

A new edition of the advanced training course on Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture officially commenced today at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (CIHEAM Zaragoza). Organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CIHEAM, the course brings together more than 30 professionals and country representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Spain, Türkiye, Libya, Lebanon, Italy and Egypt under the framework of the FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI).

The participation of the FAO Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) in Cairo Water Week 2025 was marked by a dedicated booth within the exhibition area, a space for technical exchange, dialogue and visibility. Throughout the week, the booth served as a meeting point for experts, policymakers, researchers and development partners to explore the Platform’s vision, achievements and knowledge products promoting sustainable water management across regions.

During Cairo Water Week 2025, the FAO Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) hosted a dynamic daily presentation led by Dr Ehssan El Meknassi, Coordination and Implementation Support Specialist at FAO-RNE. The session, held at the iRTP-WS booth, gathered partners, experts and stakeholders from diverse regions and institutions for an engaging exchange on advancing water-resilient agrifood systems. 

The eighth edition of Cairo Water Week (CWW 2025) officially opened today under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The theme this year, « Innovative Solutions for Climate Resilience and Water Sustainability », frames the week’s focus on bridging water, climate, agriculture and ecosystem challenges.

Under the Regional Water Collaborative Platform of the FAO-Water Scarcity Initiative, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) convened the meeting of Working Cluster 1 on “Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation.” Opening remarks from both organizations underscored the importance of coordinated regional action to strengthen climate resilience in agriculture and water management.