EMWIS Flash N°82, July/August 2010

EMWIS Flash - July/August 2010 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Union for the Mediterranean. For further information: http://www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later)

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In this issue N°82 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash82)
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HEADLINE
1- Historical recognition of Human Right to Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation at UN
IN BRIEF
2- 757.6 million Euros for 2011-2013 ENPI Inter-regional cooperation
3- EU gives 30.4 million Euros for higher education cooperation with neighbours
4- AWF / ADB financed OSS project "GICRESAIT": Grant agreement of 1,228 million Euros in Tunis
5- Adoption of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean (ICZM)
6- Arab water ministers examined Arab water strategy
7- The Water Leaders Forum finds solutions to Arab world water issues
8- Equal Access to Water Rights Session at WPJ MENA Rule of Law Conference
9- AFED Message to Arab Leaders: A chance is at hand to achieve progress in climate negotiations
10- Water management and urban development in focus at ARLEM meeting
11- Spain: Valencia celebrates its LIFE project success
12- Spain: Benidorm consumes the same water as in 1975, despite its population quadrupled
13- Malta's Smart Grid Solution: The world's first multiutility grid should save water & money
14- Cyprus gets top marks for clean bathing water
15- Cyprus: Cost of Water To Rise
16- Netherlands: World's largest backwash plant opened
17- Cyprus: Unified water management becoming a reality
18- Palestine: West Bank water worries
19- Syria: Water well upgrades offer solution for Syria's drought-hit northeast
20- Morocco’s drinking water facility invested over $ 422 mln in 2009
21- Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: Drought Early Warning System
22- Tunisia: EU funds sustainable water management
23- Tunisia: New water pricing
24- Tunisia: For a summer without water shortages
25- Tunisia: Hammam-Lif sea polluted by sewage
26- Tunisia: Befesa edges out Spanish rivals in Djerba showdown
27- Egypt's Nile: nation puts great river at heart of its security
28- Egypt to grant South Sudan $300 million for water and electricity projects
29- Libya: New wastewater treatment operation designed for Libyan hospital
30- UAE needs a water strategy
31- « EUROPE-INBO 2010 » International Conference on Water in Mountains - "Mégève 2010"
32- "The history of water in Israel/Palestine in the last 100 years: a beginning" Conference Delft 2010 successfully held
33- IWRM Karlsruhe 2010
34- Drought-tolerance: a learning challenge for poor farmers
35- MEdIES Activities for Rainwater Harvesting in Cyclades, April - May - June 2010
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1- The 3rd Commission of the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations made history last 28th July by overwhelmingly adopting the draft resolution proclaiming the Human Right to Safe drinking Water and Sanitation. Presented by Bolivia and 34 other States, the resolution received 122 voted in favour with no votes against and 41 abstentions. The resolution that was adopted “declares the Right to Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right” It also “calls upon States and international organisations to provide Financial resources, capacity building and technology transfer, through international assistance and co-operation, in particular to developing countries, in order to scale up efforts to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all.” Whereas another UN resolution on the ‘right to development’ set a precedent by acknowledging the Right to food and to clean water 10 years ago, this marks the first time a resolution entirely dedicated to the Right to water and sanitation is adopted and by such an important number of countries, including industrialized. It also goes further than the previous resolution by proclaiming sanitation a human right and by clarifying the Right to water. A resolution has no binding mechanisms attached to it like a Convention or a protocol would. However, it carries tremendous political weight, enough to provoke harsh negotiations between States, to help advance key issues on the international agenda and to trigger national endorsements. The United Nations estimates that nearly 900 million people live without clean water and 2.6 billion without proper sanitation. At least 4,000 children die every day from water-related diseases. These numbers demonstrate the importance of the step taken today towards the realization of this Right. Further information on EMWIS website.

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The European Commission is making available €757.6 million across six priority areas under its ENPI Inter-regional Programme (IRP) for the period 2011-2013, up from €523.9 million for the period 2007-2010. The ‘Revised Strategy Paper 2007-2013 and Indicative Programme 2011-2013’ said IRP priorities remained valid for 2011-13, as support for investment, higher education and regulatory reforms are still medium term objectives. However, it said, the launch of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership in 2008, the experience of implementation of the Black Sea Synergy and the Northern Dimension, a re-assessment of bi-lateral co-operation with Russia alongside developing relations with Libya require re-examination of some objectives. Further information on EMWIS website.

3- The European Commission has decided to allocate €30.4 million to support higher education projects in the European Neighbourhood countries and Russia. This will enable enhanced networking and joint projects and partnerships between higher education institutions in EU and ENPI countries. “Cooperation is a win-win for the EU and our partners. It makes the European Higher Education Area more visible and attractive in the world, while also helping European Neighbourhood countries to modernise their universities and improve teaching skills. The money allocated under the Tempus Programme will support approximately 50 multilateral partnerships aiming at modernising curricula, teaching methods and management of the higher education institutions and systems in the neighbouring countries. More than 350 institutions from these countries will have new opportunities to collaborate in a structured way with a similar number of institutions from the EU within the framework of projects that will start next year. Tempus promotes the development of higher education in the EU’s neighbouring partner countries and provides mechanisms to offer new learning opportunities for students and new career perspectives for academic staff. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- The President of the African Development Bank (ADB) Donald Kebruka, approved a grant amounting of 1.228.000 Euros, released by the African Water Facility (AWF / ADB) and intended to finance the project "Integrated and concerted Management of Water Resources in the Aquifers Systems of Iullemeden, Taoudeni / Tanezrouft and the Niger River (GICRESAIT) proposed by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS). With the GICRESAIT project, OSS intends to replicate the achievements of its SAI project - which initially concerned the Iullemeden Aquifer System shared by Mali, Niger and Nigeria - the entire river system consisting of groundwater (Iullemeden Taoudeni / Tanezrouft aquifers) and surface water (River Niger) in the sub-region. The project GICRESAIT concerns seven countries, namely Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- On 6 July, the European Parliament gave its green light to adopt the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (ICZM). This protocol aims mainly to assure a sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of coastal ecosystems. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- The Council of Arab Water Minister examined during the 2nd session of its meeting held in Cairo (Egypt) last 1-2 July 2010, the challenges faced by the Arab world in the water resources. The session was devoted to several issues relating to the joint Arab action for the implementation of the decisions made by the Arab Economic Summit on the Arab water security strategy. The strategy comprises a series of objectives that aim at defending the rights of Arab countries relating to water resources, particularly in the occupied Arab territories. In addition to the preparation of the World Water Forum, which will be held in March 2012 in Marseille (France), the ministers also examined a project on integrated water resource management to achieve sustainable Arab development and the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Further information on EMWIS website.

7- On July 7th in Abu Dhabi, leaders from the water sector called for solutions to the Arab world's water problems that included looking at green growth; renewed dialogue and diplomacy to resolve transboundary water issues; more capacity building and professional development of senior water managers in the region; a shift to demand management; and recognition that resolving issues goes beyond technical solutions and must include politics and more communication. The Forum organized by the Arab Water Academy discussed finding solutions to secure the water future of the Arab world.  Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, in his opening remarks, stated, "By organizing this conference and welcoming Arab water leaders here in the United Arab Emirates, you mark the importance given to water issues and more broadly to the future of water in the world."  Further information on EMWIS website.

8- The World Justice Project (WJP) held its first major Conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on June 25-26, 2010, in Ifrane, Morocco. Over 150 regional leaders from a breadth of disciplines convened to address Rule of Law issues relevant to the MENA region and to raise awareness concerning the impact that the Rule of Law has on all aspects of the community. This multidisciplinary, action-oriented Conference represents a distinct opportunity to promote interdisciplinary understanding of Access to Justice Challenges, to incubate sustainable actions, and to have long-lasting impact in the region. Equal Access to Water Rights Session was moderated by Dr. Walid Saleh, United Nations University-Institute on Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH), while Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, EMWIS Technical Unit, acted as the Reporter.  Equal access to water rights is a global issue which has immediate relevance for the Middle East and North Africa region. The implications of an effective partnership system which not only serves local communities but provides for regional needs are truly cataclysmic. This working session brought together leading stakeholders – including business, government, academics, and civil society – in concerted efforts to strengthen fair regulatory systems, share best practices, and ensure effective service delivery. Key Rule of Law Identified Issues were: 1) Harmonization of MENA water laws: Water laws toolkit; 2) Good water resource governance; 3) Training on water law issues; 4) Raising water awareness and promote access to water as a human right issue; and 5) Negotiation skills on transboundary waters. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) disclosed a memorandum on the preparations for the climate change negotiations at the Cancun Summit in December.  AFED also presented the main results of its report on "Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries." AFED Secretary General Najib Saab presented the memorandum that AFED had addressed to Arab governments on the upcoming Cancun climate change summit, saying that: "The role that Arab countries should play towards achieving practical results and effective agreements is not merely an obligation, but a real necessity for the Arab region, which has an undisputable interest in an international binding agreement to mitigate climate change as well as to adapt to its serious impacts, especially that the Arab region is among the most affected by it. In order for Arab countries to benefit from the international support which they need to adapt to the effects of climate change, they need to play a constructive role in achieving an effective international treaty when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012." AFED concluded by affirming that "Challenges facing the Arab world due to climate change are immense, but we believe that it is possible to succeed if Arab countries undertake fast and efficient steps, primarily in their own interest and for their benefit, especially in the fields of water and energy". AFED also hoped that the Cancun conference "Will be a chance to affirm a constructive and effective Arab presence, so that Arabs, as major stakeholders, can be full partners in arriving at the needed decisions." Further information on EMWIS website.

10- Local water management and urban development was in the spotlight of the last meeting of ARLEM (Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly), held on 2 July, with members aiming to consolidate dialogue between the three shores of the Mediterranean on the basis of practical problems. Following its creation in Barcelona on 21 January this year, ARLEM has set up its own structures and begun operations. At its bureau meetings in the spring, it formally requested from Ahmad Masa'deh, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, to grant ARLEM observer status in the UfM.
These meetings also saw the setting up of two commissions, each with 41 members: the commission for territorial, economic and social affairs and the commission for sustainable development. They met for the first time on 2 July to discuss, respectively, urban development and local water management, identified by the Bureau as priorities for the commissions' work in 2010. ARLEM is a response to the request to put the role of regional and local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership on an institutional footing. It therefore gives the partnership a territorial dimension and seeks to involve local and regional authorities more closely in the specific projects of the Union for the Mediterranean. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- The Valencian project Zero Plus has been awarded as one of the best LIFE Environment projects 2009. It was rewarded as one of the five best projects in the ‘waste management' category along with another project from Spain and projects from Germany, France and Portugal. Zero Plus worked to improve the galvanic processes and surface treatment industries by reducing polluting industrial waste. It set up an integrated liquid waste management model for surface treatment industries carrying out highly polluting activities. This project approached zero discharge from the productive chain by reducing the consumption of water through Best Available Techniques (BATs) in galvanic processes. The project received its award along with the other selected LIFE projects on 2nd June, during Green Week - the biggest European annual event regarding environmental issues. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- The Spanish city of Benidorm consumes the same water as in 1975, despite its population quadrupled and the number of tourists multiplied by three, during the last 35 years. According to a study by Spanish sociologist Mario Gaviria, National Environment Award 2005, about 15.000 residents in 1975 consumed ten hectometres of water per year whereas now, with 71 034 residents taxed, eleven hectometres are consumed. According to the study, this has been possible thanks to the significant decrease in the average water consumption per person per day as compared with 1107 liters of 1975 placed the current 383 liters. The report argues that the tourist capital of the Costa Blanca has "a more efficient supply system, better and most sustainable of the world."  Gaviria's study indicated that tourists from Benidorm generate "less solid waste" than the Spanish average provincial capital, less water consumption and less expenditure of energy. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- Here in this tiny nation of 400 000, a seven-island archipelago strung between Italy and Tunisia, IBM is building the world’s first smart grid that will govern both electricity and water. For the electricity utility, the €70 million grid will make detecting theft easy, distribution fair, and administration efficient.  Water Services Corp. will use the smart grid to shave kilowatt-hours off its energy bill by optimizing its control systems. And both the electric and water utilities will monitor every watt and liter flowing onto their respective grids and compare those measurements to the readouts of every meter in the system. That way, losses through theft, leakage, and defective meters can be pinpointed quickly. But while the grid will help both utilities keep a lid on costs, energy and water prices are ultimately tied to Malta’s total dependence on oil, its shortage of freshwater, and the fact that as a member of the European Union, it must implement a sustainable water policy this year. Part of that policy is to force water conservation on consumers through price increases. So the government is setting the price of electricity, that in turn determines the price of water, because Water Services uses electricity to extract groundwater and to desalinate seawater, the parched islands’ two main sources. Malta’s political and geographical circumstances make it a uniquely challenging place to institute new water and energy policies. That’s where the smart grid will help. With the vast amounts of data it generates, government officials, the utilities, and citizens will be able to make more informed decisions.  Further information on EMWIS website.

14- Cyprus has scored top marks in the latest EU annual bathing water report, which shows 100 per cent of bathing areas surveyed in 2009 comply with EU mandatory cleanliness levels. This is the second year that all bathing areas, including sea, lake and river, complies with the guidelines, putting Cyprus above the European average of 96 per cent for coastal bathing areas and 90 per cent for rivers and lakes. The study measured physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, such as Escherichia coli and Streptococci for six months from May 1st to October 31st 2009, in 111 bathing areas. . Almost all the coastal bathing sites in Cyprus, France, Greece and Portugal complied with the more stringent guide values. Although inland bathing sites show greater variation in water quality, a large majority of the inland sites in Finland, France, Germany and Sweden also complied with guide values. Of the 20 000 bathing areas monitored throughout the European Union in 2009, two thirds were on the coast and the rest were at rivers and lakes. Compliance with minimum quality requirements at coastal sites increased from 80 per cent in 1990 to 96 per cent in 2009. For inland waters, the increase was even greater, rising from 52 per cent to 90 per cent. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- The cost of water in Cyprus will rise from January 1st 2011, under a directive from the European Union. According to Agriculture Minister Demetris Eliades the increase was a logical one and it should cause no problems. He said that the issue would be discussed with partners in the rural sector. Also to be discussed is the uncontrolled drilling of boreholes and a single pricing policy across the island. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- A water plant in the Netherlands has introduced technology it claims will save millions of litres every year. The Spannenburg groundwater drinking water facility uses sand filters to purify the water before it is pumped into people's homes. Up to 5% of the water produced by the plant is used to rinse, or 'backwash' these filters. Until recently, that was wasted water with up to 1.25 million cubic metres disappearing down the drain. Now, plant operators have decided to tackle the issue opting for UV water purification and disinfection systems from Netherlands-based supplier Berson. It allows the backwash water to be reused thereby cutting costs and boosting environmental benefits. The facility 35 kilometres south of Leeuwarden in the north of the country is run by Vitens, the Netherlands' largest water utility. It supplies drinking water to more than 300,000 people in a mainly rural area. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- The Agriculture Ministry in Cyprus submitted in last June a bill it hopes will offer a permanent solution to Cyprus’ water problems, with the formation of a unified water management policy. Describing the move as “historic for this sector”, Agriculture Minister Demetris Eliades said it had taken “40 years of discussions and 20 years of legislative efforts to reach this point”. “Finally it seems the state is offering a satisfactory and permanent solution to a problem that has been deemed the second worst after national issue,” said Eliades. He explained that according to the bill, all services will fall under the Water Development Department. Currently, there are a large number of services involved in the sector, leading to coordination problems. “This will ensure we save water resources and this is in the best interests of public and farming sector,” said the minister. Eliades said his meeting with the House Agriculture Committee in June had proved constructive and positive. “We are turning a new page, which can be described as a historic development for our country’s water issue.” Once the law is passed and all preparations are complete, the new policy will be implemented immediately, the minister concluded. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- The worst place to be in the West Bank in terms of water and sanitation facilities is an Israeli-controlled stretch of land known as Area C, where the Palestinian Authority (PA) is technically responsible for water services, but simply unable to deliver. Cara Flowers, an officer with the Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Group (EWASH), said the health and livelihoods of communities living in Area C - covering 60 percent of land in the West Bank and home to some 60,000 of the West Bank’s 2.3 million people - were hardest hit as they have a severe lack of access to water and sanitation infrastructure. She said EWASH was struggling to implement emergency humanitarian water projects in Area C as it lacked the necessary permits from the Israeli authorities. In Area C, Israel has retained full control over security and while responsibility for the provision of services falls to the PA. But the Palestinian Water Authority says it has very limited control over water resources in the West Bank. Amnesty International accuses Israel of denying Palestinians the right to access sufficient water supplies in the West Bank by maintaining total control over the shared water resources and preventing the development of adequate water infrastructure there. The Mountain Aquifer is the only source of water for Palestinians in the West Bank, while Israel can access several sources, including water available from the Jordan river. Israel says it has responded to the needs of the Palestinians and has increased the quantity of water provided to them far beyond that specified in the Interim Agreement. Meanwhile, the West Bank’s water crisis is worsening, according to a March 2010 report by EWASH. Only 31 percent of communities in the West Bank are connected to a sewage network, it said. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- An innovative approach to water resource management in Syria is estimated to be helping 18,000 people hit by a three-year long drought. UNDP and its partners are upgrading a network of ancient water sources under the barren terrain of the country’s northeast, where water shortages have led to large-scale population displacement in recent years. More than one million people, already close to the poverty line because of low incomes, have been affected by the drought which has driven tens of thousands of families to urban settlements such as Aleppo, Damascus and Deir ez Zour. Beginning in 2009, the Government of Syria, the Spanish Development Agency and UNDP began rehabilitation of Roman- and Arab-built wells that were constructed some 2000 years ago. Ninety-five wells were surveyed and, to date, 35 have been or are currently being upgraded, with an estimated 18,000 beneficiaries (not including livestock). Well rehabilitation involves cleaning and pumping out stagnant water, widening and deepening wells to increase water capacity, analyzing water quality, and finally handing over to local authorities and communities. Syria’s northeast is the poorest region in the country. Buying water from private tankers at a cost of 2000 SYP/month (approximately $40 USD) was a heavy financial burden for the population. For those who previously could not afford the cost, the upgraded wells provide access to safe drinking water and undoubtedly improve quality of life.  Further information on EMWIS website.

20- Morocco’s drinking water utility (ONEP) has invested in 2009 over 422 million dollars (3.7 billion dirhams), bringing its coverage rate of access to drinking water to 89% in the rural area. The program of generalizing access to drinking water in the rural area succeeded in 2009 in supplying an additional population of 246,000 inhabitants, according to figures released by ONEP’s board of directors on 9th of July. As for the urban area, the 2009 newly-implemented projects required building 6 treatment plants, including a desalination plant and two demineralization plants. This enabled reaching an additional rate of flow of 1,706 l/s. The state-owned utility carried out 240 km of supply mains, built 23 new water tanks with a capacity of 14,200 m3 and extended the supply network by 400 km. It had also operated a 308 km-wastewater collection system and three wastewater plants treating 11,026 m3 per day. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- Supported by the Life-Third Countries Programme of the European Commission, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) supported Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia in the development of a North African prototype system for Drought Alert (SMAS). The collaborative work undertaken between 2006 and 2009, by the competent institutions in the aforementioned countries has allowed the creation of the first national forecasts of early warning on drought. The forecasts are based essentially on the calculation of biophysical indicators (eg. meteorological parameters, vegetation indices) and socio-economic indicators (eg. fodder price). Going beyond the cyclical vulnerability, the SMAS project has also allowed the characterization of the structural vulnerability to drought in the Maghreb. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- An EU-funded project for sustainable water management in Mediterranean tourist areas "TourMedEau" has officially been launched in Tunisia, aiming to improve cooperation on urban water management between both shores of the Mediterranean. TourMedEau project is funded under the Ciudad Programme - Cooperation in Urban Development And Dialogue - and financed through the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI), and was officially launched on 18 July 2010. The project, to be implemented by an international partnership of Tunisian, Moroccan and Italian partners, will help promote dialogue and cooperation between local governments of both shores of the Mediterranean in order to improve environmental sustainability in urban areas through a more efficient public management of water services. The study and design of a wastewater treatment plant and water works for its reuse in agriculture and tourism will allow the exchange of experiences and expertise on wastewater treatment among Mediterranean countries, leading to the dissemination of the best techniques. The total value of the initiative amounts to €506,177 of which 80% is financed by the European Union. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The Tunisian Ministry of agriculture, hydraulic resources and fishing (MARHP), the Ministry of Finance and the Tunisian national water distribution company (SONEDE) have set new tariffs for drinking water on last July 13, 2010. A 5% average increase on SONEDE and ONAS tariffs, effective on July 1, 2010. This increase is based on a decision of the Minister's cabinet awarding 5% per year to SONEDE and ONAS up to 2016, but only the increase of 2010 was signed by the Minister. This leads to progressive tariffs, according to SONEDE, trade-offs between different consumer groups, thereby creating a kind of social solidarity between small and large consumers. However, this new pricing is distinguished by its clarity and transparency.  The last pricing revision of drinking water goes back to 2005. Further information on EMWIS website.

24- The Tunisian national water distribution company (SONEDE) has enabled the role of maintenance teams, in order to guarantee the supply of drinking water in different parts of the country during the period of peak summer consumption. Maintenance services will be on duty day and night to ensure supply of drinking water. This is to ensure the speed and effectiveness of interventions to repair leaks in the distribution network as a result of increased pressures due to heavy water pumping during that period. Therefore, maintenance services will also be coordinated between districts with regard staff and technical equipment available to shorten repair time and prevent citizens from water shortages. Further information on EMWIS website.

25- To safeguard and protect the Mediterranean from pollution, the Tunisian National Office of Sanitation Utility (ONAS) should not discharge effluent in the sea. However, in Hammam-Lif case it is different. Yet not so long ago, the city was swarming with holidaymakers flocked from around the country to enjoy its verdant mountains, its soothing thermal waters and especially its beautiful beach. They began at first to erect dikes parallel to the coast history to protect against the advancing erosion of the sea, but they were planted too close to shore, turning stretches of water levels in stagnant lagoons where waste water is now discharged by tankers, turning the beach in an unhealthy area and without any further notice for the citizens. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Tunisia’s national water utility Sonede confirmed that a Befesa-led consortium has won a 22-year contract to build, own and operate a new 50,000m3/d SWRO desalination plant on the island of Djerba. The long-running tender process for what is Tunisia’s first desalination BOT project came to a head in April, when a rival Inima/aqualia consortium emerged as the apparent low bidder by a whisker. The financial bids were as follows: Inima/aqualia (TND1.1300/m3 / $0.78/m3); Acciona (TND1.1347/m3 / $0.79/m3); and Befesa (TND1.17/m3 / $0.81/m3). A 75% weighting was given to the technical proposal, however. The Befesa consortium was the only group to feature a local firm, Princesse Holding. The two companies will have a 6-month window to assemble a financing package once the water offtake agreement has been signed with Sonede. A 50:50 debt-to-equity split is anticipated, with 100% ownership of the project company by the developer consortium. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- Threatened by a cut in Nile water supply, Egypt sees its leading regional role draining away and its desert farms running dry. Symbolising the country's historical mastery over the world's longest river, it also marks the spot where, should upstream African countries have their way, surrender of that control will first become visible. The consequences of any reduction in Egypt's share of the Nile's flow will be felt across the country, not least on the brackish fields of the Nile Delta, about 500 miles away, where farmers are already struggling to find fresh water. Near Aswan it becomes clear how important the Nile is to Egypt, which relies on the river for 90% of its water supply. On the west bank of the city, on a 600-metre wide strip of verdant land that quickly gives way to rocky desert, Omar and his fellow farmers produce grapes, figs, watermelons and other crops for food markets in Cairo. Temperatures here can reach up to 45C in summer but irrigation canals and oxen-powered pumps keep Nile water streaming in all year round. Given the precarious state of Egypt's water security, it is not surprising that successive political leaders have described any possible alterations to the distribution of the Nile as an existential threat to the nation.   As an indication of how seriously the Egyptian government is taking the present crisis, responsibility for the Nile basin dispute was removed from the water and foreign affairs ministries last month and put into the hands of Egypt's intelligence and security chief, Omar Suleiman. Egypt makes much of its water recycling and desalination programmes, arguing that the country's barren environs have forced it to use meagre water resources efficiently. But critics dispute these claims, pointing to the outskirts of big cities like Cairo where luxury residential developments are accompanied by a rash of water-intensive landscaped gardens and golf courses. Further information on EMWIS website.

28- Egypt will give the Government of South Sudan $300 million for water and electricity projects as it seeks to build good will among countries along the Nile, the source of almost all of its water. The grant will be used for building potable water complexes, drilling 30 wells for underground water, setting up river ports and upgrading electricity and water networks, Egypt’s Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Nasreddin Allam told Reuters. On the other hand, Ethiopia has reassured Egypt that the new pact it signed with four other countries on the sharing of water from the River Nile will not harm Egypt. Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in May signed the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework meant to replace a 1959 accord between Egypt and Sudan that gives them control of more than 90 percent of the water flow. Further information on EMWIS website.

29- New wastewater treatment solutions are being offered in Libya to treat water near a hospital. WPL (Innovative Wastewater Solutions) has teamed up with local distributors El Zulal to develop the solutions for a hospital near Ubari in an attempt to produce cleaner water for its patients. They have provided the clinic with a HiPAF (High Performance Aerated Filter) plant as a replacement for an older system, which no longer functioned effectively. In addition to the HiPAF, the companies have installed a Sand Filter system "to meet the hospital's needs" and produce treated water for over 600 members of staff and patients. WPL also confirmed that the wastewater systems have been designed to meet World Health Organisation irrigation standards. The WPL solution has been robustly designed to combine versatility, efficient processing and reliability, while minimising the visual impact on the surrounding landscape. Further information on EMWIS website.

30- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) needs to take action now in its agricultural sector to ensure long-term security for the national water supply. The country has no rivers, minimal rain, and it has drained most of its underground aquifers, which cannot replenish themselves to meet demand. The only source of fresh water is from desalination, which is both expensive and relies on energy. At present the UAE's desalination plants all rely on gas from the country's hydrocarbon reserves, but in the long term that resource will run out. This is why the new plans for nuclear power are so important, since the energy it generates can be used to produce more fresh water. However, given that water is expensive to produce, it is vital that the UAE develops a strategy to treat it as the costly resource that it actually is, rather than a free commodity that people can use and waste as they wish. A shocking 76 per cent of the country's water goes on agriculture, leaving industry and domestic use a minuscule 24 per cent of the total. Irrigation is a notoriously wasteful way to handle water. Therefore, to achieve a balanced long-term strategy, the country will need to review how it manages its agriculture. Further information on EMWIS website.

31- The next « EUROPE-INBO 2010 » international conference, organized by the « Group of European Basin Organizations for the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive », will take place, at the invitation of the French Water Agencies on 22, 23 and 24 September 2010 in MEGEVE; France. As the conference is taking place in the Alps, special attention will be paid to the characteristics of  water bodies in European mountains and to the specific measures, that should be considered for adapting to the effects of climate change on the hydrology of the big European Rivers. The meeting is open to all INBO member organizations and observers, and also to the water administrations and organizations, interested in the implementation of the Framework Directive, of the member and candidate countries of the European Union and of all the other countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia and of the Mediterranean basin, in particular. The «EUROPE-INBO 2010» meeting itself will be organized simultaneously with the 3rd International Congress entitled « New water governance in mountains is needed to face climate change! ». A meeting of INBO World Liaison Bureau will be held during these conferences to prepare, in particular, the active participation of the network in the preparation of the 6th World Water Forum, which will take place in Marseilles - France in March 2012. Further information on INBO website.

32- UNESCO-IHP and the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO) successfully organized on 17 June the double session "The history of water in Israel/Palestine in the last 100 years: a beginning", which was held at the Water History Conference 2010. More than 30 international scholars attended the two sessions. Palestinian and Israeli researchers presented the intermediate research results of the joint UNESCO and IPSO project "Harnessing History to Understand the Current Israeli-Arab Water Landscape". The positive feedback of the peers made it clear that this joint Israeli-Palestinian research project is indeed considered as an important and groundbreaking initiative in a field that has hitherto received little academic attention. The project "Harnessing History" conducts historical research to better understand the regional development of major water projects, water laws, and of the changes in the landscapes of Israel/Palestine due to irrigation. The project is financed by Funds-in-Trust of the Government of Italy, the sessions also received the support of UNESCO-IHP. "Harnessing History" constitutes a contribution to the UNESCO projects From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential, an initiative for the prevention and resolution of water-related conflicts, and to the forthcoming multi-volume book series History of Water and Civilization. Further information on EMWIS website.

33- Already today more than 2 billion people in over 40 countries are affected by water scarcity. Therefore, integrated water resource management (IWRM) is the essential instrument to optimise water usage, taking the requirements of the society and the economy into account. Because of the great importance of the topic the IWRM Karlsruhe conference will be held for the first time from the 24th until the 25th of November 2010 in the Karlsruhe Convention Center. The convention, which will be accompanied by an exhibition, aims to bundle the international know-how and hands-on expertise and to stimulate the exploitation of this knowledge. The convention programme has been finalised: Top-class speakers from all around the world will give an insight look on future topics. Further information on EMWIS website.

34- Drought-tolerant crops could improve food security — if researchers take downstream adoption challenges seriously, says Travis Lybbert. Few aims have attracted as much attention and investment from private, public, academic and philanthropic sectors in recent years as drought tolerance (DT) in agriculture. In the past decade, more than US$1 billion has been spent on DT research and investment shows no signs of letting up. With climate change, growing water insecurity and renewed concerns about food security in the wake of recent price spikes, the potential welfare gains from effective DT crops are enormous. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- MIO-ECSDE through the MEdIES Secretariat in cooperation with the Heads of Environmental Education of Primary and Secondary level of the Prefecture of Cyclades and the local authorities organised a series of educational activities in seven (7) islands of the Cyclades, namely Milos, Ios, Santorini, Anafi, Naxos, Iraklia and Koufonisi during April-June 2010. The scope of the project was the promotion of the updated version of the MEdIES educational material in Greek entitled "The Gift of Rain". The project included educational activities in schools targeted to primary and secondary level students as well as seminars for teachers in all islands. During the seminars, the educators were introduced to and provided with the educational material. In total more than 100 teachers participated in such meetings and trainings. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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36- European Commission: New Director-General for Research was nominated: Mr. Robert-Jan Smits, who started in his new function last July 1st. The research director general is responsible for drafting all research funding initiatives for approval by the European Parliament and Council, the EU's legislative bodies. He is also charged with ensuring the smooth running of all elements of the EU Framework programmes — from postdoctoral fellowships to the huge international fusion-energy project ITER. Further information on EMWIS website.

37- Mr. Pierre-Alain Roche nominated new ASTEE president: The board of directors of the ASTEE (French Association for Scientific and Technical Water and Environment), has elected its new president, Pierre-Alain Roche. Further information on EMWIS website.

38- On 1st June 2010, Mr. Djamel Latrech, an Algerian hydro-geologist, was appointed by his country as Coordinator of the concerted mechanism for North-Western Sahara Aquifer System (SASS), for a term of two years. He succeeds in this position the Tunisian Rachid Khanfir. Before his appointment, Mr. Latrech was in charge of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) project (SASS) whose initial phase began in 1999. Recall that the consultation mechanism is a tripartite institution created in 2004 by Algeria, Libya and Tunisia under the leadership and with the scientific, technical and logistical support of the OSS. The Mechanism has been operational since June 2008; its coordination unit is hosted in the premises of the OSS in Tunis. Further information on EMWIS website.

39- A Tunisian scientific recognized internationally, Dr. Akissa Bahri has been named Coordinator of the African Water Facility (AWF / ADB). Dr. Bahri was Director of Research at the Institute for Research in Agricultural & Forestry Engineering in Tunisia and has collaborated with many international organizations. His research in the field of water earned her many international awards. Before taking his post at the AWF / ADB, June 14, 2010, Dr. Bahri has been for five years, Director of the Africa Region at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Further information on EMWIS website.

40- Mr. Alessandro Pischedda was selected as communication officer in the Joint Technical Secretariat and Branch Offices’ staff of the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (funded by the EU), based in Cagliari (Italy). Mr. Pischedda has been IT manager of EMWIS Technical Unit during its first phase (1999-2003). Further information on EMWIS website.

41- In the framework of the definition of the Terms of Reference for the first call for proposals on strategic projects, the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is recruiting 4 thematic experts in the following fields: 1. Promotion of joint planning methodologies with regard to integrated coastal management including maritime safety; 2. Support to R&D, innovation and technology transfer, with particular attention to SMEs, in relation to waste treatment and recycling; 3. Water management with attention on: The quantity and quality of supply, with a focus on alternative water supplies and wastewater re-use; and/or The efficient use of water resources, with a focus on agricultural use; and 4. Definition of policies and promotion of pilot initiatives to support R&D, innovation and technology transfer, with particular attention to SMEs, in the field of solar energy. The deadline for sending applications in the framework of the selection of 4 thematic experts is extended until Friday, August 20th, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

43- Research Officer, Lebanese Centre for Water Management and Conservation: The Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water looks for a candidate to provide technical support to the Ministry of energy and Water (MEW) for the establishment and running of the secretariat of the Mediterranean Basin Organisations (MENBO). The position will be based in Beirut, Lebanon. Closing date: Thursday, 05 August 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

44- Project Officer – Writer/Process Documentalist, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, The Netherlands [deadline 16 August]: As part of its Global and/or Africa team, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre is looking for a project officer who will be involved in writing, editing and the adaptation of various IRC materials and publications. Further information on EMWIS website.

45- Science Officer, ICSU, Paris, France: The International Council for Science (ICSU) is seeking a Science Officer to assist with the planning and implementation of ICSU’s initiatives. Closing date for applications is August 16, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

46- Jordan - Chief of Party, Learning Environment Improvement Program (2010107): The International Relief & Development (IRD) is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization which focuses its operations in regions of the world that present social, political and technical challenges.  Closing date: Wednesday, 18 August 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

47- Vacancy Lecturer/Senior Lecturer HERBD UNESCO-IHE: The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education offers post-graduate education and PhD research programmes in Delft, The Netherlands, and carries out research and capacity building projects all over the world.  Additional information can be obtained after August 2 from Dr. Michael McClain. Applications can be sent until 20 August 2010, including curriculum vitae, statement of teaching and research interests, and the names and contact details of three referees. Further information on EMWIS website.

48- Senior Programme Officer, Monitoring and Learning, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, The Netherlands [deadline 30 August]:  In view of developing a strategic M&L leadership plan for IRC in the WASH sector, the Senior Programme Officer will oversee the process of consolidating and improving IRC’s current M&L practises. Further information on EMWIS website.

49- Help sought in recruiting a new Executive Director for the Water Footprint Network (WFN): The current executive Director, Derk Kuiper, has been acting as an ad interim part time Executive Director since the inception of the Water Footprint Network 1.5 years ago. With the network established and its activities rapidly expanding, it is now time for a full time Executive Director to take over. However, this does not mean that Derk will leave immediately, we agreed that he will stay on for the remainder of 2010 and if need be for some time in 2011 pending the recruitment and transfer of responsibilities to the new Executive Director. Further information on EMWIS website.

50- An Invitation to Apply for the Position of President and Chief Executive Officer: The Center for International Environmental Law (“CIEL”): a nonprofit organization that creates, strengthens and implements international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable global society. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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51- Available online: Council of European Union conclusions on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change - 3021st ENVIRONMENT Council meeting; Luxembourg, 11 June 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- Application of Satellite Remote Sensing to Support Water Resources Management in Africa: Results from the Tiger Initiative, IHP-VII – Technical Documents in Hydrology, No. 85: The European Space Agency (ESA) in the context of the Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) started the TIGER initiative as a concrete action following the resolutions of the World Submit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg. The initiative aims at assisting African countries to overcome problems faced in the collection, analysis and dissemination of water related geo-information by exploiting the advantages of Earth Observation (EO) technology. In the last few years, under the leadership of the African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW), TIGER has evolved with main contributions by ESA, UNESCO and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and with collaboration of other partners such as the Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other African and International organizations. UNESCO through its International Hydrological Programme (IHP), agreed to publish the results provided by several different groups involved in the TIGER research and pre-operational projects in the series IHP Technical Documents in Hydrology. It hoped that this publication will stimulate researchers worldwide to perform additional in-depth work and analysis on the exploitation of space borne remote sensing technology for water resources in Africa. Further information on EMWIS website.

53- Progress on Water Accounts in ESCWA Countries: Paper prepared by Wafa Aboul Hosn, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Senior Statistician, Statistics Division. Further information on EMWIS website.

54- "Access to sanitation: A fundamental right": This book Work written under the direction of Henri Smets, was published this year by Editions Johanet. Composed of 17 monographs and a source of information for the development of this new right to sanitation. Further information on EMWIS website.

55- "Water Governance in Motion: Towards Socially and Environmentally Sustainable Water Laws": The book focuses on the work undertaken by IELRC (International Environmental Law Research Centre) on water law reforms in India.  Further information on EMWIS website.

56- Report on the 5th meeting of the Intergroup Water, 30 June 2010: "Water and Agriculture: a common future": The report on the June 2010 meeting of the European Parliament intergroup Water. The next meeting of the EP Intergroup water will take place on 27 October 2010 with as key note speaker Commissioner Hedegaard for Climate Action. Further information on EMWIS website.

57- WWAP and UN-Habitat have released a joint Briefing Note 'Water for sustainable urban human settlements' highlighting critical water challenges related to today's unprecedented urban expansion – from providing access to basic services to ensuring environmental and human security. Further information on EMWIS website.

58- A major milestone has been reached in the UNESCO/IHA Greenhouse Gas Status of Freshwater Reservoirs Project, with the publication of the GHG Measurement Guidelines for Freshwater Reservoirs.  Further information on EMWIS website.

59- Benefits of Sharing Failure Data: A failure registration system for use by water companies, providing an exceptional database for statistical analysis is described in an article published in Water Asset Management International. Insight into the deterioration process of individual water mains and pipe groups can help to predict when replacement is due. Further information on EMWIS website.

60- In 2006, WHO published a third edition of its Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater in Agriculture and Aquaculture. In four volumes, these Guidelines propose a flexible approach of risk assessment and risk management linked to health-based targets that can be established at a level that is realistic under local conditions. The approach is to be backed-up by strict monitoring measures. Further information on EMWIS website.

61- The Issue No 16 (June 2010) of the GEWAMED Newsletter (Mainstreaming Gender Dimensions Into Water Resources Development and Management in the Mediterranean Region) is now available online. Further information on EMWIS website.

62 - Resonances, newsletter of the OSS (Sahara and Sahel Observatory), which is an autonomous international organization established in Tunis (Tunisia), born of a need to reconcile Africa's efforts to improve warning & monitoring crop conditions systems, food security and drought. Last issue is available online (Only in French). Further information on EMWIS website.

63- New GWP Website Launched:   http://www.gwpforum.org  and http://www.globalwaterpartnership.org will now point to the www.gwp.org. Further information on EMWIS website.

64- "Making the Most of Scarcity : Accountability for Better Water Management Results in the Middle East and North Africa": Despite its diversity of landscapes and climates most of the region’s countries cannot meet current water demand. Indeed, many face serious challenges. This report is the fifth in a series of Flagship Development Reports that highlight key challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa Region and suggests ways in which, within their current political and economic realities,  countries can make changes to lessen these problems. This volume aims to show how water is integrated into the wider economic policies of the countries of the region. For that reason, it brings water issues to non-water specialists, addressing a multi-sectoral audience. The report will outline actions that can further a broad reform agenda within the current political and economic climate. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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65- "ENPI-MED CBC: call for strategic projects announced": The Joint Management Authority announced that the call for proposal on strategic projects for Cross-Boarder Cooperation in the Mediterranean will be launched during the second semester 2010. These projects will involve a minimum of four partners representing four different countries, of which at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Their budget range from a minimum of € 2 million up to a maximum of € 5 million. Budget announced for this call about € 37 million. Water management will be one of the priority topics with 2 sub-themes: i) Quantity and quality of supply, with a focus on alternative water supplies and wastewater re-use; ii) Efficient use of water resources, with a focus on agricultural use. The following partner countries have signed a Financing Agreement with the European Commission : - Egypt - Israel - Jordan - Lebanon - Palestinian Authority - Syria - Tunisia. These countries are now fully eligible to receive Programme funds. All the Financing Agreements have been countersigned by the Joint Managing Authority. Further information on EMWIS website.

66- December 2010 ENPI CBC-MED call for proposals on standard projects: Call for proposals on standard projects (one-step open procedure) focusing on the four Programme Priorities.  Indicative launch date: December 2010. Indicative amount allocated: € 33 million. Further information on EMWIS website.

67 - The fourth LIFE+ call for proposals has been published on 04 May 2010, with up to €243 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication. Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 01 September 2010. Thereafter, national authorities will send project proposals on to the European Commission by 04 October 2010, and the Commission will check the outline projects against the LIFE+ eligibility criteria and will assess proposals on the basis of the LIFE+ selection and award criteria. Final announcement of the projects chosen for funding is expected in July/August 2011, with projects starting at the earliest on 1 September 2011. Project promoters are encouraged to make best use of the time available up to the deadline for submission of proposals to national authorities (01 September). Project proposals should be carefully checked to ensure that they are in line with all the criteria set out in the call documents. Further information on EMWIS website.

68 - EC launches €35 million call for projects that turn environmental challenges into business opportunities: Under the 2010 CIP Eco-innovation call for proposals, funds are available for new projects in the area of materials recycling, sustainable building products, the food and drink sector and green business practices. Applications are particularly welcome from small businesses with green products or services that need backing to penetrate markets. The call runs until 9 September 2010. Some 50 projects could end up being chosen for funding. Some 44 projects are currently running under the scheme, and another 45 are set to launch in the course of this year. Some examples include: converting used tyres into valuable insulation materials; using bamboo plantations to purify 'grey' water; and replacing conventional paper labels with innovative laser technologies. Further information on EMWIS website.

69- Proposal for a EC Recommendation on a Joint Programming initiative on "Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change": A new coordinated approach would be implemented through close cooperation between national research programmes. This should help identifying and responding more effectively to common challenges in the area of Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change. Member States would engage in the definition, development and implementation of a common Strategic Research Agenda to address the combined challenges of food security against the continuous threat represented by various scenarios of climate change, global population, and food and non-food demand. However, the set up of a management structure by the participating countries is expected by the end of 2010. Several Member States have already started working jointly towards a common research agenda and will continue to do so during the time necessary to adopt this Recommendation. Further information on EMWIS website.

70- FP7 Framework Programme call for proposals - Environment (including Climate Change) Calls: FP7-ENV-2011: Budget: € 155 000 000. Deadline: 16 November 2010 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time). Among the research activities to be funded under this call: ENV.2011.1.3.2-2 Vulnerability andincreased drought risk in Europe. ---> Collaborative Project (smallor medium-scale focusedresearch project), ENV.2011.2.1.2-1 Hydromorphology andecological objectives of WFD.---> Collaborative Project (largescale integrating project), ENV.2011.3.1.1-1 Technologies for waterscarcity mitigation in Latin American context.---> Collaborative Project (small or medium-scale focused research project) for specific cooperation actions (SICA) dedicated to international cooperation partner countries (focus on Latin America). Further information on EMWIS website.

71- Launch of the World Justice Project MENA Opportunity Fund Round: This funding window will enable stimulating multidisciplinary programs to strengthen the Rule of Law; build new partnerships; and explore how the Rule of Law affects the work of all disciplines in the region. The World Justice Project will provide a limited number of seed grants not exceeding US$10,000, with a total funding envelope of US$40,000. Grants will be awarded to programs that stem directly from action plans that were developed in working sessions at the MENA Conference (including Equal Access to Water Rights Session).  The deadline to submit proposals is August 20th, 2010. Under the envisioned process, the WJP anticipates making final funding notifications by September 10, 2010, and expects to disburse first installments of grant funds by October 1, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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72- Call for Papers for the Arab Water Week 5-9 December 2010 Amman, Jordan: Under the umbrella of the League of Arab States (LAS) and in partnership with the Arab Ministerial Water Council (AMWC) and the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) is organizing the first Arab Water Week. The Arab Water Week (AWW) is the first regional meeting in the Arab region which will tackle water management issues through establishing innovative partnerships and platforms of collaborative work on water issue in the region. T Paper proposals will be selected by the Arab Water Week scientific committee to cover different areas, methods, approaches and positions. The deadline for submitting abstracts: 30 August 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

73- SedNet calls for abstracts for platform presentations and posters for the Open Conference. Abstracts related to the main issues of the Conference with a special focus on the Mediterranean area will be particularly welcomed. Issues to be addressed among others are: Sediment management measures and cost-benefit analysis, Climate change and sediment: effects on bio-availability and contaminant biogeochemical cycles, Sediment Environmental Quality Standards and monitoring. Deadline for abstract submission: 1 September 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

74- Call for publication on the Mediterranean Magazine (Revue Méditerranée) - "Issues of Water in the Eastern Mediterranean" No. 118 of the Mediterranean Magazine, to be published in June 2012: This magazine will devote its June 2012 special issue titled "Issues of water in the Eastern Mediterranean" to questions of human geography related to water, its management, its development and its social and political role. Further information on EMWIS website.

75- The "International Symposium on Edremit and Kaz Mountains (Mount Ida) - Global Change in the Mediterranean Region" to be held on 5-7 May, 2011 in Turkey. Abstracts of no more than 400 words should be submitted to: kazdagisymposium@gmail.com by August 30, 2010. Please note that financial support for accommodation+meals+ground transportation will be provided for the authors of selected full papers. There is no fee for registration, excursions and field trips. Further information on EMWIS website.

76- Call for abstracts - "Sediments and Biodiversity: bridging the gap between science and policy",7th international SedNet event, 6-9 April 2011, Venice, Italy: It represents a paradigm for all Mediterranean coastal areas due to its cultural heritage, its precious lagoon and its challenges toward climate change adaptation. Deadline for abstract submission: 1 September 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

77- The Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Jordan, the International Water Association, and the United States Agency for International Development are pleased to announce the sixth IWA Efficient Conference—Water Demand Management: Challenges & Opportunities. The conference will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II at the Dead Sea-Jordan, March 29–April 2, 2011. Applicants are invited to submit abstracts on the topics identified above. Abstracts for papers can only be submitted through the official Efficient 2011 website (www.efficient2011.com). All abstracts must be submitted in English and clearly state the objectives and desired outcomes of the proposed presentation. Deadline for Submission of abstracts: September 30, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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78- UNESCO-IHP, UNESCO-IHE and the International Water History Association offer course on World History of Water Management: A 5-day short course on the "World History of Water Management" will be offered in September 2010. The course constitutes a contribution to the UNESCO-led United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Further information on EMWIS website.

79- [2010/08/15 - 2010/08/27] University of Eastern Finland - UNEP Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Joensuu, Finland
Further information on EMWIS website

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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
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ABOUT EMWIS (Priorities, Activities, Objectives, Structure, Funding, Team)
WATER in the EURO-MED PARTNERSHIP (MEDA programme, Key dates, European Neighbourhood Policy)
EMWIS NATIONAL WEBSITES: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Cyprus, Malta, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg
EMWIS WATER MULTILINGUAL THESAURUS (Available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish & Italian)- Water glossaries
WATER PROJECTS DATABASE (MEDA-NIPs, MEDA-Water, LIFE, SMAP, INCO-MED, FP4-FP6, INTERREG, etc)
DOCUMENTATION (EMWIS meetings, Documentary database, Funding for water, Key documents, Water Legislation)
WHO DOES WHAT IN THE WATER SECTOR (By contacts, organisations & information sources)
PARTNERS & SPONSORS (OIEau, CEDEX, SOGESID, EC, INBO, IME, GWP-Med, MED-EUWI, SMAP-RMSU)
MEDA-WATER PROJECTS (ADIRA, EMPOWERS, EMWater, IrWA, ISIIMM, MEDAWARE, MEDROPLAN, MEDWA, Zer0-M)
WATER INITIATIVES (MED-EUWI, WFD, INCO-MED, LIFE, MEDSTAT, SMAP, EXACT, UNEP-MAP, MSSD, HORIZON 2020, Union for the Mediterranean) & Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism
FORUM ; FAQ ; TOPICS (MedWIP, Water scarcity, groundwater, wastewater reuse, desalination, satellite data, etc)
SEARCH EMWIS WEBSITE
EMWIS SITEMAP
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CONTACT US
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