From Crisis to Opportunity: Water and sustainable development in the Middle East 

Casa Árabe is hosting this seminar, to be held on June 13 in Madrid. The event was organized by the Middle East Studies Center of the foundation Promoción Social de la Cultura (CEMOFPSC).

The Middle East is one of the regions with the most scarce water in the world. The impact of climate change, combined with fast growth by the population and mass migration movements, has increased the pressure currently exerted on existing natural water resources even further.

The lack of efficient mechanisms for cross-border governance is aggravating the status of water security in the area even more, producing tension and instability, with repercussions that go beyond just regional borders.
 
While traditionally considered a potential catalyst for conflict, water resources could now be the key to cooperation and regional integration in the Middle East. Throughout this seminar, Fundación Promoción Social de la Cultura (FPSC) and EcoPeace Middle East will be giving the public a general overview of the status of water security in the Middle East, with a specific focus on the water problems existing between Israel and Palestine.

The seminar will attempt to improve our understanding of this topic while exploring the enforcement of the right to water in Palestine, placing a special emphasis on water security and environmental sustainability.  To achieve this, three main objectives are proposed:

1.    Promoting the human right to drinking water and sanitation in Palestine as a foundation for sustainable development.
2.    Presenting good practices in access to water and water management promoted by international organizations, development cooperation agencies, local public and private organizations and civil society.
3.    Increasing awareness among the Spanish population about the status of water security from a new perspective: Water as a resource for cooperation in the Middle East.

Financed by the Spanish International Development Cooperation Agency (AECID), the seminar will be held in Casa Árabe’s Hall of Ambassadors (at Calle Alcalá, 62, first floor) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be given in English and Spanish, with simultaneous translation. The day will be arranged into two sessions, during which experts will express their thoughts about solutions for water and sanitation in the West Bank and Gaza, and on water as a resource for Regional Cooperation.

Further information and provisional schedule