Arab Water Council (AWC)

27/01/2026

💧 Save the Date | 7th Arab Water Forum (AWF)

The Arab Water Council (AWC) is pleased to announce the upcoming 7th Arab AWF, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and convened in parallel with Saudi Water Week.

As the region’s leading platform for water dialogue, the Forum will bring together decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders to address pressing water challenges, advance practical solutions, and shape a shared Arab Roadmap toward a sustainable water future.

📅 6–8 April 2026
📍 The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

🔗 View the first announcement & draft agenda: www.arabwaterforum.org/First_Announcement.pdf

📌 Mark your calendars and stay tuned for further updates.

18/01/2026

https://www.almasryalyoum.com/article/4176864

أعلن المجلس العربي للمياه ترحيبه بالمبادرة التي طرحها الرئيس الأمريكي، دونالد ترامب، بشأن السد الأثيوبي، مثمنا ترحيب الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي، باهتمام الرئيس ترا....

23/12/2025

The Arab Water Council (AWC) successfully concluded the final online session of its Mediterranean training programme focused on mobilizing Green Climate Fund (GCF) support for Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus projects 🌱⚡💧

The session featured presentations from 25 project teams proposing integrated solutions to climate change, including renewable energy–powered irrigation ☀️, wastewater reuse 💧, climate-resilient agriculture 🌾, desalination capacity building, circular economy initiatives ♻️, and nature-based solutions 🌿. Strong emphasis was placed on climate resilience, mitigation, food and water security, and gender-responsive approaches 👩‍🌾🤝

AWC extends its appreciation to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), GCF colleagues and consultants, and partners, with the support of Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, for their technical contributions and collaboration throughout the programme 👏.

Next steps will focus on technical assessment 📝, proposal refinement, alignment with GCF requirements, and continued follow-up to support countries in moving from concept notes to implementation, strengthening regional capacity to access climate finance and deliver integrated WEFE solutions.

30/10/2025

✴️ Strengthening Regional Capacities to Mobilize Climate Finance

The Arab Water Council (AWC), in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and with support from Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, successfully held a live session for the Online Mediterranean Countries Training on Mobilizing the GCF for WEFE Projects.

🌍 The session brought together participants from across the Mediterranean and neighboring regions, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and many more, to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration on Water-Energy-Food-Ecology (WEFE) Nexus projects.

▶️ Discussions covered proposal development, integrating AI tools 💻 for improved project design, and approaches to mainstream gender and sustainability within GCF-funded initiatives. The training aims to build participants’ capacities to design impactful, cross-sectoral projects that contribute to sustainable resource management and climate resilience.

🙌 We thank all our partners, facilitators (Ghada Amin and Aya Hassanien), and participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions. Together, we are advancing regional cooperation to mobilize climate finance for a sustainable Mediterranean future.

23/10/2025

Reflecting on AWC's Key Sessions at Cairo Water Week 2025

What an incredible week at the 8th Cairo Water Week! The Arab Water Council (AWC) was at the heart of the dialogue, co-convening key sessions that inspired meaningful dialogue on shaping our region’s shared water future.

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners, speakers, and attendees who made these events truly impactful:
🌟 Participation in the World Water Council - Conseil Mondial de l'Eau Board of Governors (BOG) – where H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid attended and delivered two interventions.
🌟 Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of UNESCO-IHP, reinforcing our long-standing collaboration, with Prof. Khaled AbuZeid joining the Groundwater Session to discuss sustainable groundwater management.
🌟 Exploring the future of water management with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) through our sessions on Implementing Water Accounting in Egypt and Shaping a Transformative Water Capacity Program for MENA.
🌟 Concluding the “One Water” Project journey with One Water Italy, CIHEAMBari, and Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. The final wrap-up meeting following three successful regional forums held in Jordan, Italy (Bari), and Tunisia, uniting representatives from the Maghreb, Mashriq, Balkans, and GCC countries.
🌟 Participating in the National Water Research Center (NWRC) Special Session on “Policy Frameworks for Water Management, Desalination, and WEFE Nexus Integration” in celebration of NWRC’s 50th Anniversary, featuring a Keynote Speech by H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid and participation of H.E. Dr. Hussein El-Atfy.
🌟 Strengthening partnerships with the signing of new MoUs with The Cyprus Institute (CyI) and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) to advance joint efforts in climate action and sustainable water management.
🌟 Engaging in strategic discussions on water finance at the 6th Annual Conference on Water Finance and Investment with Union for the Mediterranean & the EU.
🌟 Contributing to regional policy dialogue through participation in the 7th High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Agriculture and Water Sectors, and the 3rd Joint Ministerial Meeting of Arab Ministers of Agriculture and Water, organized by جامعة الدول العربية - League of Arab States (Economic Sector – Water Resources, Housing & Disaster Risk Reduction Department) jointly with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - ESCWA.

The energy, collaboration, and shared commitment we witnessed reaffirm our confidence in building a more water-secure and resilient Arab region.

30/09/2025

AWC President Participates in IDRC Consultation Workshop on Renewable Energy-Powered Desalination for Irrigation 💧☀️🌱

H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council (AWC), participated as Panelist in the IDRC Consultation Workshop on “Renewable Energy-Powered Desalination for Irrigation in North Africa and Jordan”, held on 21–22 September 2025 at the Dead Sea, Jordan. 🇯🇴

In his intervention, Dr. Abu-Zeid highlighted the urgent need to scale up renewable-powered desalination in agriculture to address the region’s worsening water scarcity 🌍, when it’s economically feasible and environmentally sound. He outlined key challenges—including high costs, tariff structures, brine disposal, water quality, data gaps, and limited technical capacity—and proposed innovative responses, such as blended finance schemes, climate funds, smart subsidies, brine valorization, digital monitoring, and PPP models.

He also emphasized the Arab Water Council’s contributions, including partnerships with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and جامعة الدول العربية - League of Arab States, the development of guidelines for brackish water use, research initiatives under Horizon Europe, and capacity development through the Arab Water Academy 🎓. AWC is currently working with partners to establish a regional NCWR Platform to promote desalination and other non-conventional water resources for irrigated agriculture.

Dr. Abu-Zeid reaffirmed AWC’s commitment to mobilizing financing for further research 🔬, facilitating knowledge transfer 📚, and promoting inclusive policies to ensure that renewable-powered desalination becomes a sustainable and transformative solution for agriculture in the Arab region. 🌿🤝

25/09/2025

🌊 The Arab Water Council (AWC) at AquaEnergy Expo MEA 2025 🌍

We are delighted to take part in the Arab-African Conference for Investment in Water and Energy at the AquaEnergy Expo MEA 2025.

📅 Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025

🕒 Time: 11:20 AM – 12:20 PM

📍 Venue: Cairo International Conference Center – Nasr City

💡 Discussion Panel: “Harnessing the WEFE Nexus Strategies for Climate-Smart Resilience in the Arab Region: Pathways to Security and Sustainability for a Better Tomorrow”

📝 Session Chairman:

◾ H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu Zeid – President, Arab Water Council

🎙️ Panelists:

◾ Dr. Hussein Al-Atfy – Secretary General, Arab Water Council

◾ Prof. Khaled AbuZeid, Ph.D., P.E., PMP – Arab Water Council

◾ Prof. Mohamed Rami Mahmoud – Retired Research Professor, National Water Research Center

◾ Prof. Hala Yousry – Professor of Sociology, Desert Research Center

◾ Prof. Abdin M A Salih – Director, Arab Water Academy

We look forward to sharing insights and advancing strategies for climate-smart resilience and sustainability in the Arab region.

15/09/2025

🔔 Wefe4med Nexus Award, now open for applications 🏆

This award highlights outstanding demonstrator projects across the Mediterranean that integrate at least three of the four WEFE pillars: Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems.

🔹 Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2025
🔹 Who can apply: Projects already being implemented in PrimaProgram countries
🔹 Benefits: Visibility through the WEFE4MED Knowledge Hub, international presentation opportunities, and fully funded participation at the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum & WEFE4MED closing ceremony in 2026.

👉 Submit your demonstrator here: https://wefe4med.eu/wefe4med-nexus-award

📢 The WEFE4MED.eu Nexus Award is Now Open for Applications! 🏆

We are excited to announce that the WEFE4MED Nexus Award is officially open! 🎉

If you are implementing a demonstrator project in the Mediterranean that brings together at least 3 of the 4 WEFE pillars (Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems), this is your chance to showcase your work.

📅 Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2025

🔹 Eligible projects: demonstrators already in implementation within PrimaProgram countries
🔹 Benefits: visibility through the WEFE4MED Knowledge Hub, presentation opportunities at international conferences, and a fully funded participation at the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum & the WEFE4MED closing ceremony in 2026.

👉 Submit your demonstrator here: https://wefe4med.eu/wefe4med-nexus-award

Let’s highlight the best solutions shaping sustainable futures across the Mediterranean! 🌿



European Commission The Cyprus Institute Global Water Partnership Global Water Partnership Mediterranean Berytech Center of Arab Women for Training and Research-CAWTAR International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA MedCities

07/09/2025

⏰ Final Reminder – Only a Few Days Left!

Applications for the Online Mediterranean Training to Mobilize Green Climate Fund (GCF) Support for WEFE Projects close on 10 September 2025 (23:59 CET).

📅 Training: 1 Oct – 5 Nov 2025 (+1 week for proposal submission)
👥 Apply in national teams (2–3 participants, from at least two WEFE sectors)
💰 Fully funded – no fee

Don’t miss the chance to refine your project and get it GCF-ready!

👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/56BCtjFaM5gRmkaM8



Green Climate Fund Union for the Mediterranean WEFE4MED.eu

15/08/2025

📢 Check out WEFE4MED.eu July Highlights – with a spotlight on a unique capacity-building opportunity for the Mediterranean region!

🚀 Apply Now – Mediterranean Online Training on Mobilizing GCF Support for WEFE Projects
🗓 1 Oct – 5 Nov 2025 (+1 week for proposal submission) | Fully online
📌 Organized by: Arab Water Council (AWC) & Union for the Mediterranean
💰 Funded by Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete | Supported by Green Climate Fund

A 5-week modular programme to help you design GCF-ready Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems projects through expert-led sessions, group work, and final proposal submission for certification.

Open to national teams (2–3 participants) from at least two WEFE sectors in Mediterranean GCF-eligible countries – and beyond.

✅ Build GCF proposal skills
✅ Network with regional experts
✅ Gain certification

📌 Apply now: https://forms.gle/eYs26TCJUH4xHTqRA

🔗 Explore all WEFE4MED July opportunities here: https://wefe4med.eu/wefe/opportunities

📢 WEFE4MED.eu | July Highlights Are Out!

From groundbreaking symposiums to innovative seed centers and capacity-building opportunities, July has been a month of action and collaboration for the Nexus community across the Mediterranean.

🔍 Highlights
🔹 7th International Symposium on Water Knowledge & Capacity Development – Laurent-Charles Tremblay-Lévesque presented WEFE4MED collaborative report on interdisciplinary water governance, highlighting the balance between institutional support and community-driven innovation.
🔹 Spotlight on Bodrum’s Bahçeyaka Seed Center – "We’re not just growing plants, we’re growing resilience, knowledge, and community,” says Ms. Sinem Uyar Kuyumcu, Manager of the Bahçeyaka Seed Center.

💡 Opportunities
🚀 Online Mediterranean Training to Mobilize GCF Support for WEFE Projects | 1 Oct – 5 Nov 2025 | Fully online
📌 Organized by Arab Water Council (AWC), and Union for the Mediterranean | Funded by Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete | Supported by Green Climate Fund
Apply Now: https://forms.gle/KznA55XwK6GCTLNY6

🤝 Mentoring, Twinning & Knowledge Exchange Activity
Connect with top experts, bridge research with real-world applications, and foster innovation in the WEFE Nexus.

🎓 Internships & Summer Schools | Call expected Sept 2025
For students and young researchers – hosted by WEFE4MED partners, online and in-person.

🏆 Coming Soon! WEFE Nexus Demonstrators’ Competition | Launching 15 Sept 2025 | Showcase your project and compete for “Most Impressive WEFE Nexus Demonstrator in the Mediterranean.”

🔗 Explore All Opportunities: https://wefe4med.eu/wefe/opportunities



PrimaProgram Berytech The Cyprus Institute Center of Arab Women for Training and Research-CAWTAR Global Water Partnership Global Water Partnership Mediterranean International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA MedCities FrontAg Nexus

23/06/2025

✨ Day 3 Highlights - The final day of the Mediterranean Countries Training to Mobilize the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) projects concluded with valuable insights, collaborative proposals, and actionable strategies for advancing the WEFE Nexus in the Arab region.

🔹 Key Outcomes:

💡 Funding Pathways:
Mallé Fall SARR from GCF introduced the Project-Specific Assessment Approach (PSAA) for non-accredited entities to access GCF funding.
Ayaka Fujiwara, PhD discussed blended finance strategies to boost private sector investment in climate adaptation.

🌐 Regional Cooperation:
Prof. Khaled AbuZeid, Ph.D., P.E., PMP emphasized the need for national and transboundary collaboration on WEFE priorities.

📊 Monitoring Indicators:
Dr. Ghada Amin guided participants in selecting effective indicators to measure the impact of WEFE projects.

🎤 Country Presentations:
Teams from 🇹🇳Tunisia, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇩🇿 Algeria, and 🇱🇧 Lebanon showcased innovative proposals, including solar-powered irrigation, flood resilience, saline agriculture, and wastewater reuse.

💬 The workshop wrapped up with reflections on shared achievements and a commitment to turn ideas into impactful actions.

🙏 A special thank you to all participants, facilitators, and partners, especially the Green Climate Fund, Union for the Mediterranean, and Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, for making this training a milestone for climate resilience in the region.

18/06/2025

⏩ The second day of the "Training to Mobilize GCF for WEFE Projects in the Mediterranean" began with a field visit to the GCF-funded project “Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the North Coast of Egypt”, where participants explored practical solutions for coastal protection, water management, and community resilience in Damietta. The visit offered valuable insights into how WEFE principles are applied on the ground.

The training continued in Ras El-Bar with practical sessions focused on practical guidance to help participants advance strong, fundable WEFE project proposals aligned with Green Climate Fund (GCF) priorities.

🔹 GCF experts Jinkyung Jeong and Dr. Amgad Elmahdi explained the full GCF project cycle, from concept notes to full proposals. They shared tips on how to build strong climate rationales, ensure stakeholder engagement, and access readiness support.

🔹 Dr. Ghada Amin led a hands-on session on governance and coordination, where country teams mapped stakeholder roles and identified ways to strengthen partnerships, especially with local communities and underrepresented groups.

🔹 Case studies presented by Dr. El-Mahdi highlighted successful GCF-funded projects in the region, including Egypt’s Benban Solar Park and Jordan’s water reuse programs.

🤝 Participants also engaged in group work to design project proposals and reflect on stakeholder dynamics, governance bottlenecks, and policy gaps. They shared country-specific insights and regional lessons, from Tunisia’s strong research base to Morocco’s local innovations and Egypt’s private sector opportunities.

The day closed with actionable recommendations co-developed by participants, including establishing national coordination platforms and launching a regional WEFE practitioners’ network.



United Nations Development Programme - UNDP