At a technical briefing on the water-food nexus, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) presented the FAO-NENA (Near East and North Africa) Water Scarcity Initiative.
During the briefing titled 'The water-food nexus: Tackling water scarcity in the context of sustainable development,' participants discussed ways to address the dilemma of food production in the context of water scarcity.
25 January 2017: At a technical briefing on the water-food nexus held at UN Headquarters in New York, US, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) presented the FAO-NENA (Near East and North Africa) Water Scarcity Initiative. The Initiative provides a comprehensive framework to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of scarce water resources in the region.
The FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative was formulated in response to a request of the FAO NENA Regional Conference, which identified the issue as a central priority for Member States. The Initiative, which falls under FAO’s strategic programme for sustainable food production, supports NENA countries in their pursuit of food and water security during an unprecedented and severe escalation of water scarcity. It aims to identify critical areas requiring action; assist in the formulation of a regional collaborative strategy; and build broad partnerships to support its implementation.
During the briefing, titled ‘The water-food nexus: Tackling water scarcity in the context of sustainable development,’ which took place on 25 January, participants discussed ways to address the dilemma of food production in the context of water scarcity. Pasquale Steduto, FAO Regional Strategic Programmes Coordinator for NENA, introduced the Initiative. He explained that it aims to assist NENA countries in: water accounting and monitoring, by looking at sources, users, consumption and re-users; strategic planning for setting the safe boundary for consumption; and maximizing the benefits of each drop of allocated water, including through technology and governance. He highlighted that the Initiative reduced water application for irrigation by 25%, reduced seed application at sowing by 50%, increased fertilizer use efficiency by 30% and increased wheat yields by 25%.
Tarik Iziraren, Permanent Mission of Morocco, stressed the need for creating effective institutional frameworks linked with climate and robust management schemes in order to sustainably use available water resources. He noted that Morocco has a high-level water council that serves as a forum for consultation on water policies for all national actors. Barlybay Sadyko, Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan, underscored that problems of water scarcity can be solved only through partnerships with neighbors and the international community.
In the ensuing discussion, participants raised issues related to the feminization of agriculture, the tension between big businesses and small-scale farmers, and water protection. [Event Concept Note] [UN Web TV – Meeting Recording] [IISD RS Sources] [UN Press Release]