About the Forum
Background
The 2019 UN water report figure out that global water demand is expected to continue increasing at a rate of 1% until 2050, accounting for an increase of 20 to 30% above the current level of water use, mainly due to rising demand in the industrial and domestic sectors. Over 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress, and about 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year. Stress levels will continue to increase as demand for water grows, which is consider an enormous international concern.
The major fact behind this worrisome issue is that water security is being as one of crucial concerns and tough challenge at global level. It is a determinant for security in various societal and environmental aspects including food, energy, economy, politics, climate, environment and health. This complicated manner of multidisciplinary goes beyond water resources management current practices, where it emerges at highly dynamic environments request intensifying efforts to understand how to achieve water security through focusing on all its determinants within these environments.
State of Palestine faces a special context related to water led to a real water crisis, especially in Gaza Strip where 97% of water is polluted and unfit for human use. In addition, Palestine is located in region facing a series water risks. While the MENA region is a home to about 6% of the world’s population, it holds only around 1% of the earth’s total renewable freshwater resources and it is the world’s most waterscarce region. In recent years, the anthropogenic global warming of the arid regions received particular attention, considering that water scarcity is a major challenge for food security. The Middle East and the adjacent Mediterranean is identified as a hot spot for climate change.
Understanding the above facts and many other water figures means that today, water issues require global solidarity to find and plan countermeasures solutions for nations to achieve water security. Increasingly by the years, integration of all stakeholders’ efforts becomes a must for nations to be able to face threats of water security challenges on current and future generations.
Driven from the success of the First Palatine International Water Forum, The Palestinian Water Authority is planning to organize the “Second Palestine International Water Forum”, to be held from 18th to 21st July, 2020. The objectives of the second forum will be to provide a unique multi-stakeholder platform where the water experts, the policy creators, and decision makers from around the world can work together to find joint solutions capable to significantly assist the region in its efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and draw a road map for water security. It will present an opportunity for local, regional and international water communities to examine and establish new collaborative partnerships in the various water sector issues.
What is the Second Palestine International Water Forum 2020?
Why to attend the Second Palestine International Water Forum 2020?
Invitation to Submit Abstracts