Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources,
Middle East Peace Process
Second World Water Forum, 17-22 March 2000, The Hague
Water Management Practices, Including Conservation
Public Awareness and Water Conservation Project
 |
| Irrigation system supplied by wells. |
The Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources established the Public Awareness
and Water Conservation Project in 1996, which is being managed by the United States.
The first activity completed by the regional participants was the design and
preparation of a video aimed at youth that highlights the importance of water
issues from a regional perspective. This video is available for showing at
youth-oriented events throughout the region.
The second major activity underway, known as WaterCare, is the preparation of a
Student Resource Book, Teacher's Guide, and complimentary Web Page focused on
water conservation issues that are regional in concept, scope, and content.
The materials are being prepared jointly by educational writers from each of the
regional participants and are being written for students between 12 and 15 years old.
Once completed, they will be used as supplementary materials in the educational
systems of each of the regional participants. The major topics addressed by the
materials include water resources, water use, water pollution and life/health,
water management for conservation, and water care for the future, all from a
regional perspective. The materials are scheduled for implementation in schools
throughout the region in January 2001.
Optimization of Intensive Agriculture Under Varying Water Quality Conditions
In 1996, the Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources established a project on Optimization
of Intensive Agriculture Under Varying Water Quality Conditions, which is being managed by the
Government of Luxembourg. The primary focus of the project is to demonstrate how brackish and
saline water can be used to support sustainable farming. A demonstration farm, established in Gaza
at Beit Hanoun, is used to support technology transfer in the field of water use.
Project implementation is led by Al-Azhar University of Gaza.
Comparative Study of Water Laws and Water Institutions in the Region
 |
| Shepherd tending a flock of sheep. |
The Norwegian Government, through the Center for Environmental Studies and Resource
Management, a non-governmental organization known as CESAR, conducted a comparative
study outlining the legislative, regulatory, institutional, and pricing framework of water resource
management in various Middle Eastern countries and territories. The data allows common
denominators among the various water management systems to be identified. A detailed
comparison among the various water regimes establishes a potential starting point for consensual
formal coope-ration in the future. A compilation of official English translations of the various
water laws and authority by-laws has been produced.
Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources, Middle East Peace Process
For technical WWW questions about this page, please contact the
USGS Water Webserver
Team.