Towards a High-Level Dialogue on the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) – Technical Preparatory Meeting: Watch the recording ONLINE.

Background

Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century, especially for the agriculture sector. Droughts are already a major cause of crop failures in many areas of the world and of acute food insecurity crisis in vulnerable countries. 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 (SOLAW, 2021). The changing rainfall patterns and warming climate put at risk the food security and the livelihoods of farmers and people worldwide.

In response to the above challenges, the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG), a partnership hosted by FAO, was officially launched at the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco, and subsequently endorsed by 83 ministers in charge of agriculture in January 2017.

At  the Second International Forum of WASAG held in February 2023 in Praia, Cabo Verde, through  the Praia Call for Action participants recommended that: i) all Member Countries are invited to become partners of WASAG; ii) a Member Country will be designated to Chair WASAG, starting with Cabo Verde; iii) FAO convenes, every two years in its headquarters in Rome, a Dialogue on WASAG with all Member Countries; and iv) the WASAG Forum is convened in Praia every other second year to provide space to partners and stakeholders for sharing solutions and progress towards tackling water scarcity in agriculture.

In response to these recommendations, FAO included WASAG as one of its eight commitments to the Global Water Action Agenda at the UN 2023 Water Conference, brought water scarcity and WASAG to Rome Water Dialogues and the 43rd Session of FAO Conference, set up FAO Inter-regional Technical Networks on Water Scarcity, mobilized resources and implemented regional water scarcity initiatives such as the Water Scarcity Programme for Asia and the Pacific region and the Water Scarcity Initiative for the Near East and North Africa region. Furthermore,  a Value-Added Impact Area (VAIA) on Addressing Water Scarcity in Agriculture and the environment (AWSAMe) launched its inception activities with the ongoing development of four global project proposals to promote drought resilient, nutritious indigenous crops to cope with water scarcity. 

It is hereby proposed to organize the event ‘Towards the High-Level Dialogue on WASAG – Technical Preparatory Meeting’ on 29-30 April 2024 at FAO headquarters in Rome. This technical event will prepare for the High-Level Dialogue on WASAG which, together with the Rome Water Dialogue, will take place during the World Food Forum (WFF) in October 2024. Both events will consolidate and scale-up the WASAG partnership onto greater level of visibility, commitment, and impact. 

Objectives

1. The event ‘Towards a High-Level Dialogue on WASAG – Technical Preparatory Meeting’ will have the following objectives:
2. Prepare for the High-Level Dialogue on WASAG that will take place during the WFF in October 2024;
3. Enhance collaboration and mobilize commitments to make WASAG more impactful and effective; and review key WASAG operating mechanisms;
4. Share experiences and knowledge in addressing water scarcity by countries and related FAO global and regional initiatives; and
5. Provide recommendations on priorities in addressing water scarcity in agriculture and to the Global Water related processes such as the forthcoming World Water Week and the World Water Forum.

Expected outcomes

1. Recommended priorities for WASAG for the period 2025-2031, in support of the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031;
2. Recommended process for establishing a Member-led Steering Committee of WASAG by October 2024;
3. Shared knowledge and experiences on addressing water scarcity in agriculture;
4. A draft of the Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture which will be presented for adoption during the High-Level Dialogue on WASAG.

Expected participants

• Representatives and experts of FAO Permanent Representations.
• Representatives of regional organizations.
• Representatives of other intergovernmental agencies and international organizations
• Representatives of UN agencies.
• Representatives of academia, civil society organizations, water users, farmers associations and private sector organizations.

Agenda

Day 1:

• Morning Session
• Side event "Saline Agriculture"
• Afternoon Session

Day 2:

• Morning Session
• Side event "Advancing Ecosystem-based Solutions to agricultural water scarcity?"
• Closing Session