Consultative Meeting on the WASAG Strategy 2025–2031

Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century and the agriculture sector suffers the most. With the world population reaching around 10 billion in 2050, we need to produce 50% more agrifood products than in 2012, which will require at least 20% more water.

The Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) is a partnership designed to bring together key players across the globe and from different sectors to tackle the collective challenge of using water better in agriculture to ensure food security for all. WASAG is hosted by FAO and consisting of FAO Members, government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, advocacy groups and professional/membership organizations.

WASAG fosters collaboration among its partners for the development and deployment of policies, strategies, and programmes, enhancing field capacity for the adaptation of agriculture to water scarcity. At the High-Level Rome Water Dialogue, held in October 2024 during the World Food Forum, the Rome Declaration on Water scarcity in Agriculture was adopted and the FAO Members led Steering Committee was established. 

As a follow-up to the High-Level Rome Water Dialogue, a new WASAG Strategy for 2025–2031 is currently being developed through a consultative process involving WASAG Members, partners and stakeholders and building on the first WASAG Strategy (2021–2024). FAO is planning to organize a Consultative Meeting on the WASAG Strategy 2025–2031 on 8–9 May 2025 to provide an opportunity to gather feedback and contributions from partners and stakeholders for the formulation of the Strategy.

Objective

• Present updates on WASAG and new proposed draft WASAG Strategy outline and elements.
• Gather inputs and contributions of WASAG partners and stakeholders for the formulation of the WASAG strategy.

Expected output

• A comprehensive summary of inputs, recommendations, and priorities provided by WASAG partners and stakeholders.
• A defined timeline and process for finalizing, validating, and officially launching the WASAG Strategy 2025–2031.

Languages

• The event will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

Additional Information

• To accommodate different time zones, two sessions will be held. Participants are invited to join the one that best corresponds to their geographic location or availability.
• A draft annotated outline of the WASAG Strategy for 2025-2031 will be shared ahead of the meeting for participants' review. 

PROVISIONAL AGENDA  8 May 2025

Time	Session	Speaker
15:00–15:10	Welcome remarks	Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO
15:10–15:20	Update on WASAG	Jean Ruhiza Boroto, Senior Land and Water Officer and WASAG Team Leader, FAO
15:20–15:40	Draft annotated outline and proposed draft elements of the WASAG Strategy for 2025–2031	Ania Grobicki, Senior Advisor, Land and Water Division, FAO
15:40–16:40	Discussion Consultation on the WASAG Strategy for 2025–2031	All Participants
16:40–16:50	Wrap up and follow up actions	Jean Ruhiza Boroto, Senior Land and Water Officer and WASAG Team Leader, FAO
16:50–17:00	Closing remarks	Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO

 

PROVISIONAL AGENDA  9 May 2025

Time	Session	Speaker
10:00–10:10	Welcome remarks	Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO
10:10–10:20	Update on WASAG	Jean Ruhiza Boroto, Senior Land and Water Officer and WASAG Team Leader, FAO
10:20–10:40	Draft annotated outline and proposed draft elements of the WASAG Strategy for 2025–2031	Ania Grobicki, Senior Advisor, Land and Water Division, FAO
10:40–11:40	Discussion Consultation on the WASAG Strategy for 2025–2031	All Participants
11:40–11:50	Wrap up and follow up actions	Jean Ruhiza Boroto, Senior Land and Water Officer and WASAG Team Leader, FAO
11:50–12:00	Closing remarks	Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO

Register Add to calendar