COMSTECH Meeting for Experts on Emerging Areas in Agriculture, Water

and Food Security of OIC

Islamabad, December 1 to 2, 2014

Dr. Murad Bino, Executive Director

Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and

Management (INWRDAM)

www.inwrdam.org.jo

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The Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management

(INWRDAM)

Established in 1989 by COMSTECH and composed now of 19 MC and enjoys diplomatic status in host country Jordan

Gets annual financial support from host country Jordan in compliance with 2002-COMSTECH rule from all its IINs

Conducts various programs and R&D research in response to its MC needs

Obtained grants of more than $2 million in support of its low cost sanitation R&D programs over the past ten years and is now finalizing a $0.5 million grant from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

Recognized by EU, Canadian, IDB and others as R&D partner in technology transfer and water resources management

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OIC-Specific Emerging Issues

Water scarcity Food insecurity Possible conflicts over shared water

resources Possible impacts of climate change on

water resources Regional conflicts and refugees

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Emerging Water Issues

% Water scarcity % Water self- sufficiency % Water dependency

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Water Sustainability Challenges

OIC countries considered together are not short of fresh water and twenty of these countries are above the world average of 5,000 m3/c/y

Water population imbalance Water use has been growing at more than

twice the rate of population increase

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Food Insecurity

% scarcity % self- sufficiency % Import dependency

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Conflicts Over Shared Water

Shared rivers Shared groundwater basins UN Convention of 1977

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Conflicts and War Refugees

Regional political conflicts Refugees crossing borders intensify water scarcity

in the host countries UN organizations and host governments are

unable to meet water and sanitation needs of war refugees

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Recommendations

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OIC Heads of States in past Summits proved their readiness to endorse proposals requesting financial assistance for OIC-S&T implementation

Could the creation of a Waqf fund for OIC-S&T implementation approved by the next OIC Summit be a more practical way to obtain the

required finances?

Thank you for your attention

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