Challenges in the MENA Region and contribution of information systems

1. Challenges in the MENA Region and contribution of information systems Dr. Hani Sewilam UNW-DPC 1

2. What is UN-Water? • UN-Water is an inter-agency mechanism formally established in 2003 by the United Nations High Level Committee on Programmes • It consists of over two dozen members and numerous partners. No single “lead agency” • UN-Water strengthens coordination and coherence among UN entities and non-UN partners dealing with issues related to all aspects of freshwater and sanitation. • It contributes to the agenda defined by the 2000 Millennium Declaration and the World Summit on Sustainable Development • More information: www.unwater.org

3. UNW-DPC JMP UNW-DPAC WWAP UNDESA UNECA UNESCAP UNESCWA UNECE UNCTAD UNSGAB UNECLAC UN-Water Partners UN-Water Members

4. UN-Water: Strengthening the UN System UN-Water strengthens coordination and coherence among UN entities dealing with issues related to all aspects of freshwater and sanitation.

5. Capacity Development is………. “…the sum of efforts needed to nurture, enhance and utilize the skills and capabilities of people and institutions at all levels – locally, nationally, regionally and internationally - so that they can better progress …”. (UNDP)

6. Capacity Related Challenges in the MENA Region 1. Awareness, understanding and commitment of public 2. Lack of required commitment from the political system Lack of organizational/institutional frameworks Disagreement among stakeholders 5. Technical skills to cope specific tasks (e.g. IWRM)

7. Mission Statement of UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development. Enhance the credibility, coherence, and integrated effectiveness of the capacity development activities of UN-Water to strengthen the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals related to water.

8. UNW-DPC Work-Plan 1.2 Collection of information and analysis of existing UN Water related programmes, projects and activities. 2.2 Carrying out mapping of UN Water activities 1.4 Development of a single entry point of access to information about projects, programs and activities by setting an online database.

9. Why Web-Based/IT in Capacity Development Type of activity Organize Training Develop toolkits Awareness raising Collection and dissemination Exchange programmes Web-based >50% Other 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 % Percentage of the total activities Source: Water-Related Capacity Development: A survey of UN-Water members’ and partners’ activities, UNW-DPC Publication Series, 2008

10. Objective I of this session: • The role of IT in capacity development and solving the water challenges in the MENA region.

12. Developing Information Systems

14. Main Objectives of this Session • Objective I • The role of IT in capacity development and solving the water challenges in the MENA region. • Objective II • Investigating the possible integration between different systems

15. UNW-AIS contains: Social Learning Tools UN-Water Publications IW-Science Projects and Publications … & more Mapping Results ePool (eTraining) UNW-AIS

16. Thank you! UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development(UNW-DPC) UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY UN Campus Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10 D-53113 Bonn, Germany Phone: + 49 (0) 228 815-0652 Fax: + 49 (0) 228 815-0655 E-Mail: info@unwater.unu.edu www.unwater.unu.edu

17. Experience managing a knowledge network supported by information systems Nick Tandi is a Water Resources Specialist at the UNDP Cap-Net programme with international experience in managing formal water governance knowledge networks. He is educated in Soil Science and Social Ecology. Before joining Cap-Net he worked for WaterNet, a Southern Africa Development Community capacity development network. 15 Minutes

18. AQUASTAT, FAO‘s Global Information System on Water and Agriculture • Karen FRENKEN is a Senior Water Resources Management Officer at the Land and Water Division of FAO and Coordinator of the AQUASTAT Programme, FAO’s global information system on water and agriculture. Worked and lived for 20 years as an agricultural engineer in different countries in South Asia, the Near East and mostly Sub-Saharan Africa, before joining FAO Headquarters in Rome in 2003. 15 Minutes

19. IW:Science PlatformEnhancing the use of Science in International Waters projects to improve project results • DR. WALID SALEHis the regional Coordinator, MENA Region for the United Nations University-Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) since 1997. His work experience within the UN system is engaged in the sustainable development through multi-disciplinary Integrated Management approach to achieve project needs and address the Millennium Development Goals. He authored and co-author several papers and applied research project reports. 15 Minutes

20. New features of the UN-Water Activity Information System (AIS+) • Dr. Dirk Jaeger recently joint the UNW-DPC as a Programme Officer. As a Professional Engineer, he has a Diploma degree (Master’s equivalent) and PhD in Forestry and Environmental Management and Forest Engineering from the University of Goettingen and the University of New Brunswick, Canada. Dr. Jaeger has more than 14 years experience of university teaching, adult education and capacity development as well as environmental research. He is also guest lecturer at the University of Freiburg in Germany for 14 years. Dr. Jaeger has supervised over 30 theses projects of Master’s and PhD and undergraduate students. His research findings are published in more than 30 publications. Dr. Jaeger worked for FAO and World Bank as a consultant and in technical support projects for GTZ in Indonesia, China and Albania. 15 Minutes