The High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) was held on 17 October 2024, during the World Food Forum

The High-Level Rome Water Dialogue on the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture took place on 17 October 2024 during the World Food Forum. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the event brought together 381 participants in person and virtually, including 47 Member Nations represented by Ministers, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and other senior officials and several WASAG partners. The outcomes of the dialogue are as follows:

(1)   FAO reaffirming the value of WASAG for its work since WASAG is one of the eight commitments that FAO made to the Water Action Agenda at the UN Water Conference in New York in March 2023; is part of FAO’s contribution to the UN-wide strategy for water and sanitation and is an inclusive of the FAO Water Journey.

(2)   Member Nations accepted to provide strategic oversight and direction to WASAG: six of the seven Regional Groups nominated Members of the new Committee Steering of WASAG with His Excellency Minister H.E. José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde as the Chair and H.E. Ms Meike van Ginneken, the Special Water Envoy of the Netherlands as the Vice Chair.

(3)   The Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture was adopted by Members and Partners by acclamation. It will guide the work of Members and Partners for a more impactful WASAG. A new WASAG Strategy is also being developed and will be adopted in 2025 by the Steering Committee.

(4)   Members and Partners agreed that a FAO Member Nation will host every second year a WASAG International Forum – preferably on a rotating basis among regions – for WASAG partners to share experiences and advance the knowledge base. The next forum will be in 2025.

(5)   The new Technical Advisory committee will oversee the technical preparation of the International WASAG forum together with the working groups and task forces.

(6)   Members and Partners agreed that FAO will convene a WASAG Plenary Assembly every second year in its headquarters in Rome, starting from 2026.