Water Quality Management in Mashreq and Maghreb Countries. Presented BY Prof. NAHLA ZAKI

Transcription

1 Water Quality Management in Mashreq and Maghreb Countries Presented BY Prof. NAHLA ZAKI

2 Major Concerns in Mashreq and Maghreb Countries Poverty alleviation Food security Environmental degradation Environmental Pollution Low Water Quality Soil Fertility & Plant Growth Adverse Effects on Agricultural Productivity Agricultural Productivity Trade of Agricultural Products Backbone of Poverty Alleviation & Food Security

3 Facing the Challenge Therefore, it deemed essential for Mashreq & Maghreb countries to consider water quality as a high profile. Steps taken in that respect : Installing a water quality monitoring system to observe water quality status Establishing a well equipped accredited lab for sample analysis Sharing information and experience among countries to define the size of the water quality problem and its impacts

4 Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program Local Action Proposed for Mashreq and Maghreb Countries

5 METAP Key Messages METAP of the WorldBank intends to face water quality challenges in Mashreq & Maghreb countries through the following modules: Policy Coordination Institutional Coordination Private Sector Participation Monitoring & Information Dissemination Legal and Regulatory Coordination

6 Program Objectives Due to financial limitations, METAP decided to start with the two following modules Water Quality Monitoring and Information Dissemination + Policy Coordination

7 Water Quality Management Program The program was set to nine Mashreq and Maghreb countries. Morocco Syria Algeria Lebanon Tunisia Jordan Libya Egypt West Bank &Gaza

8 METAP Intentions Increase the awareness for the WQ deterioration threats to the overall development of the Middle East & North Africa countries Cooperate with stakeholders & water users sectors to develop of nations specific guidelines and strategy for WQ monitoring & Information dissemination Increase awareness for the importance of WQ monitoring and information dissemination Involve decision makers & stakeholders to get their support for WQ issues

9 هايملا ثوحبل ىموقلا زكرملا y X NWRC Role NWRC The NWRC was commissioned by METAP to carry out the fifth module: Water Quality Monitoring and Information Dissemination to develop: Regional Guidelines

10 هايملا ثوحبل ىموقلا زكرملا y X NWRC Role NWRC What are the guidelines meant for? To generate water quality monitoring systems that fit the needs of the participating countries This requires Providing sufficient knowledge and skills to the technical staff to perform different activities at the highest professional level The ultimate goal To convince managers and decision makers that complimentarity between Mashreq and Maghreb countries is a unique and successful model in the region.

11 Preparation of Regional Guidelines Representatives selected from water related ministries in each country to participate in the program. Questionnaires distributed to gather information about existing monitoring programs in each country. Accordingly, a knowledge base of the current water quality practices in these countries was built. Data analysis revealed information about the needs, gaps, and successful monitoring programs in the region. Regional guidelines developed based on gathered information and international water quality monitoring guidelines and information dissemination strategies.

12 Stakeholder Participation A workshop was held in Rabat Morocco, on April 2005 to address: Exchange of information between representatives of different countries. A shared vision of issues to be tackled, obstacles to be overcome and opportunities for action despite the different circumstances in each country Approval of guidelines with some modifications for improvement. Finding links between modules 1 and 5 building a policy (module 1), providing data (module 5), raising public awareness (modules 1 and a 5), and finding ways to urge decision makers for implementation (module 1).

13 Workshop Conclusions and Recommendations Building a well designed monitoring program which complies with each country priorities. Implementing guidelines based on the constraints of each country,, and results have to be evaluated. Providing reliable data for planning and decision making with an approach for information integration. There should be a synergy between data and information and policies. Raising performance skills by capacity building. A regional training center may be considered. Establishing a network by encouraging regional workshops in the area and building information centers for water quality control.

14 Capacity Building Workshop A second regional workshop was held in Damascus, Syria, in July It provided training to participants on the material addressed in the guidelines. Some specific technical issues were given more attention based on the request of participants.

15 Workshop Recommendations Guidelines approved with local adjustments to fit the needs of each country s s condition. Water quality should be included in plans and policies of each country. Local and regional labs should be accredited to obtain reliable data Private sector & NGOs participation are essential in management and cost sharing Human Resources Development (HRD) is emphasized There s s a need to establish: A regional training center to raise the skills of professionals in the area, An electronic communication network between water quality experts and policy coordinators Establishing contacts among universities and research centers

16 Lessons Learned (Strengths) The diversity of the training format and expertise created an interesting atmosphere to participants. Self confidence of expertise and transparency of dissuasions helped to reach constructive recommendations. s & METAP website was a very convenient tool for exchange of documents. Synergies with the Policy Coordination team ensured coherence and complementarity between the two modules

17 Lessons Learned (Weaknesses) Training was supposed to be offered to the highest level of decision makers The allocated time for training was limited due to financial reasons The diversity of participants background required covering some subjects at an introductory level On hand field experience was essential, but the limited time, and finances precluded it from happening

18 A Success Story The project proposed innovative ideas for further technical cooperation among participating countries. Participants showed deep interest in: Building up cooperation channels among focal points Exchange of experience to formulate WQ policies Increasing the level of training for capacity building The success of modules 1, 5 and satisfaction of METAP administration paves the way for modules 2, 3, 4 to be implemented.

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