Arab countries are beginning to recognise the importance of an integrated approach to water management, but most policies, plans and strategies are inadequate to satisfy the requirements of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Egypt, Jordan and Palestine have approved national water resource plans, while other countries have developed frameworks, which contain strategy or master plans.

The Arab Water Council (AWC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Centre for Environment & Development for the Arab Region & Europe (CEDARE) has published a draft report [1] on plans for IWRM in the Region.

It says that political will and commitment is needed with awareness and sufficient capacity building if governments are to formulate integrated water resource management plans by 2005, and to implement them.

[1] UNDP, Arab Water Council, CEDARE (2004). Status of integrated water resources management (IWRM) plans in the Arab region. PDF file (3.53 MB)

Contact: Arab Water Council, Egypt, secretariat@arabwatercouncil.org, arabwatercouncil@cedare.org, http://www.arabwatercouncil.org/ (in Arabic)

Tags: policies & legislation, water resources management