Ramallah: Head of the Water Authority, Eng. Mazen Ghunaim received the UNICEF representative in Palestine, Ms. Lucia Almi. In the meeting, the parties discussed the work developments in the programs and projects being implemented by the Water Authority and funded by UNICEF, which reflect the needs of the water sector in the West Bank and Gaza, in addition to evaluating the current annual plan and the projects that will be included in the next year's plan.

Ms. Elmi expressed her appreciation for the achievement of the Water Authority in the success of the Fourth Arab Water Conference, which received interest and follow-up from the partners, and this reflects the ability and effort of the Water Authority to raise various issues of common interest in one platform.

 Ms. Elmi also touched on the efforts of the Water Authority to follow up and develop the water sector to serve all communities, which prompted UNICEF to go through its future plans to work in other regions besides areas classified "C".

The meeting discussed a number of issues, such as work developments in the Yatta Water Network Rehabilitation Project, as well as the ed-sized desalination plant in the south of the Gaza Strip, and the needs to be secured to ensure its efficient operation, in addition to discussing new future projects such as studies being worked on between the two sides, such as the sensitivity of sources and the follow-up of projects related to green climate.

Ms.Elmi also emphasized the importance of the Water Authority's participation in the United Nations Water Conference, which is to be held in New York City in March next year.

For his part, Eng. Ghunaim stressed the importance of the strategic programs and projects supported by UNICEF and their focus on the technical and operational aspects because of their significant impact on the sustainability of the service, appreciating the coordination, cooperation, and partnership between the two parties.