Inter-Regional Technical Platform on 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.

The main water challenges reported to date are still associated with inadequate governance, weak representation of various actors, and the incorporation of sectoral-based approaches in addressing complex and multifaceted issues. Such challenges can only be tackled through the advancement of partnerships and innovation, multi-sectoral collaboration, and data and information sharing.

In response of the above challenges and following the success of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity, (WSI),  FAO Near East and North Africa was mandated to start the development of an inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) to support the countries in coping with one of their striking challenges: the pursuit of food and water securities, for a sustainable social and economic development under an unprecedented severe escalation of water scarcity.

The development of the inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) was designed with the aim of aggregation and dissemination of up to date regional, national, and subnational innovations and best practices between experts, stakeholders and donors on specific topics and themes.

The overall goal for the iRTP-WS is to support countries and regions in scaling-up relevant water-related actions, programmes, and policies to cope with water scarcity and food insecurities amid the unprecedented challenges of climate change and socio-economic vulnerabilities, due to disasters and instability. The iRTP-WS is not intended to be an operational body. Instead, it is envisioned to play an integral role in brings together various actors from different countries and regions to work together drawing on their collective knowledge and resources in an action-oriented and result-based partnership.

As a hub for partnerships, knowledge and learnings on water, the iRTP-WS is intended to contribute to the development and dissemination of appropriate methods and tools addressing water scarcity and the water-related objectives of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.” It will include information and material on four main themes that include: Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation; Water Productivity Tools and Analytics; Non-Conventional Water Resources; and Water Governance.

inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity 

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