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.

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.

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.

The FAO Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) will take part in Cairo Water Week (CWW) 2025 under the overarching theme “Water for Climate Action.” Through a dedicated booth, the Platform will showcase its latest knowledge products, interactive tools and solution packages, offering a space for dialogue, partnership and collaboration around sustainable water management in agriculture.

The FAO Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) is pleased to announce the launch of a call for nominations for its Technical Advisory Group (TAG). This initiative offers a unique opportunity for experts to contribute to shaping regional and global responses to water scarcity, climate resilience, and food security. 

The Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) held its General Focus Group meeting, bringing together regional teams to take stock of achievements, share lessons, and set priorities for the months ahead.

The 2024–2025 work plan,

The Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Programme of FAO’s Near East and North Africa Office, in collaboration with the NSL Geospatial Unit, officially launched the online training program on “Using Geospatial Information Technology to Bridge Data Gaps and Support Decision-Making in the Water a...

As part of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (WSI), led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a two-day workshop was organized in Sousse to advance the preparation and implementation of Sanitary Safety Plans (SSPs) for the Zaouiet Sousse irrigated area.

In preparation for the upcoming second workshop on developing and implementing a sanitary safety plan for the Use of Treated Wastewater in Agriculture, a working session was held at the Regional Delegation for Agricultural Development in Sousse. The initiative is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the regional Office of Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE) and focuses on a pilot public irrigation site in Zawiyat Sousse, where treated wastewater is being reused in agriculture.

Applications are now open for the FAO-supported Advanced Course on Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture, taking place in Zaragoza, Spain (20–25 October 2025).

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.

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.

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), 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.

The inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) launched its first cross-regional capacity development workshop on “Integrated Approaches and Evidence-Based Good Practices in Sustainable Land Management and Sustainable Forest Management for Advancing Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems (WEFE) Integration.” The event, held from May 12–16, 2025 in Hammamet, Tunisia, brought together over 60 experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across Africa, the Near East, and Latin America.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) played a leading role in advancing the regional dialogue on sustainable water management during the 7th Arab Water Forum, held from May 4–6, 2025, at the Dead Sea in Jordan. Among its key contributions was the organization of a dedicated technical session on Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP), in collaboration with the League of Arab States and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development.