“First International Water Forum of Palestine”2018

From 26 - 27 June 2018  Ramallah - Palestine

“Integrated Water Resources Management”: the best technology transfer methods

The First International Water Forum of Palestine entitled “Modern Techniques and Practices for Integrated Water Resources Management” involved researchers from 20 Arab and foreign countries, with 98 paper distributed to 14 sessions, highlighted five fundamental and important issues.

The first of these issues was to focus on the importance of strengthening local, regional and international cooperation through cooperation and coordination to create opportunities for Arab and international partners to work together to elaborate joint solutions to overcome the current and future challenges of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically the sixth goal concerning water, and to promote regional and international cooperation in the fields of scientific research, technical development, and exchange of experiences; for the development and management of water resources in an integrated manner, including finding techniques with low operational and maintenance costs and high-efficiency in various fields , beside ,develop joint cooperation agreements in the field of shared water resources and transboundary waters based on international water laws and conventions to protect the basic human rights of peoples and serve the future of future generations.

The second issue which the forum highlighted as it related to the Developing water resources management to achieve water security, apply and enforce using of the new techniques and best practices to maintain and developed traditional available water resources. In addition to applying techniques and practices support the strategic water reserves, especially in dry areas and poor water countries, and to develop and promote the use of non-conventional water sources, and reuse of treated water in agriculture, or injected underground wells to the surroundings or the sea. In addition to promoting water harvesting techniques through the use of smart techniques, use advanced techniques of effective management and protection of water resources from contamination which lead to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution including modelling tools, decision making, and other new progressive tools.

The issue of adaptation to climate change, risk management, and disaster preparedness has captured the attention of participants who have stressed the need for increased awareness and resilience to deal with the risks of climate change, desertification, drought, soil erosion, and natural disaster management. In addition to encouraging and support scientific researches and capacity-building to use modern technology for climate change models including the monitoring and management of climate change and drought management. Besides taking into account by decision-makers the climate change in future water policy and the importance of the exchange of experience and establishment of regional centers focusing on studies and making recommendations to follow the effects of climate change on all sectors.

The fourth issue that Forum highlight during its work is the nexus of food, energy, and water in terms of the importance to apply food-energy-water nexus policies in planning and management of the three sectors to achieve water and food security and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Noting in this regard the importance of the role of Policy and decision makers in these three sectors should aware the importance of the nexus between these vital sectors for efficient management, and they should well aware the future dangerous and impacts of managing them separately. In addition to increasing focus on increasing analytical studies, strategies and operational plans based on the balance between supply and demand in the three sectors taking into account economic, social and environmental factors and achieving sustainable development.

With regard to the governance of the water sector including the development of political decisions, community participation, efficient administration, stressed the importance of building an effective institutional framework through the enactment or revision of water laws utilizing successful experiences in this field internationally and improve the capacity of working in the water sector in order to prepare staff  qualified technically and administratively for integrated water resources management and focused on the governments, authorities and decision makers in the water sector to overcome global water problems  through the development of legislation and standards and mechanisms are in place based on modern practices and techniques for integrated management of water resources, which have proven successful in practical application in many countries In addition to focus on improving the water sector capacity building in the field of integrated water resources management. . Adopt the principles of good governance in the water sector management as a basis for the application of integrated water resources management approach. Applying equitable distribution policies of available water resources to achieve sustainable development and social justice. Enhance the efficiency of water utilities in the areas of asset management, reduce wastewater levels, collection efficiency, capacity-building, and developing key performance indicators for achieving financial sustainability. Promote Implementing the new emerged Public- Private Sectors partnership models based on maximizing the economic value of water as a vital resource while balancing the basic water needs of peoples. Build a reliable and integrated database for the water sector in order to significantly contribute to the improvement of decisions on all levels, and share needed information with relevant partners, besides, emphasizing the importance of commitment to international specifications and standards in the management of water services for the sustainable development of water utilities and ensure the provision of drinking water to the citizen, taking into account the conditions of water scarcity.

And this,  the first International Water Forum of Palestine has highlighted many successful countries ' experiences in developing and implementing plans for finding solutions adapted to the climatic, environmental and political developments in the world, opening up prospects for alternative water sources and more efficient use of water in various Sectors, and stressed the importance of creating a strategic partnership between professionals and leaders who are interested in the water sector, and expanding international cooperation and capacity-building in the areas of water work and programs.

Water Forum Recommendations