Cairo Water Week: Launch of the Arabic version of United Nations World Water Development Report 2021
Since 2018, the World Water Development Report (WWDR) series are translated into Arabic with the generous support of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Following 2017 (Wastewater: The Untapped Resource), 2018 (Nature-based solutions for Water) and 2020 (Water and Climate Change) editions of WWDR, the Arabic version of 2021 Report focusing on the theme ‘Valuing Water’ has been recently completed.
WWDR2021 Arabic will be shared with the international audience in a high-level event that will take place on the opening day of Cairo Water Week (24 October 2021).
Among high level speakers are His Excellency Mr Mohamed Abdel-Ati, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt, His Excellency Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al Mushaiti, Vice-Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dr Abdul Aziz Al Magushi, the Assistant Director General for Media and Cultural Affairs of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation. Representatives of FAO, UNDP, UNESCWA, UNESCO Cairo Office and the League of Arab States will also take the floor. Mr Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation will join the event via a video-message. Mr Engin Koncagul, Senior Programme Specialist and WWDR Process Coordinator in WWAP will present important findings and key messages of WWDR as a part of the programme.
Water is widely perceived as an intrinsically valuable and essential resource. Furthermore, access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as basic human rights and is key to reaching equality and equity.
While appreciation of the value of water has been growing, addressing its multiple and diverse values to society and incorporating these values into water governance and management has remained elusive. As such, this vital and unique resource has not been appropriately reflected in terms of political attention and financial investment in many parts of the world.
The 2021 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report, titled ‘Valuing Water’ assesses the current status of and challenges to the valuation of water across different sectors and perspectives, and identifies ways in which valuation can be promoted as a tool to help improve its management and achieve global sustainable development.
WWAP Secretariat, with the financial support of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation, is aiming to organize a training session in the Arab region focusing on the comprehensive findings of WWDR2021. The date and location are to be decided at a later date.