Page 4 MENA NWC Update
Royal Visit to MENA NWC
His Royal Highness , Prince Ra ’ ad Bin Zeid , paid a visit to the MENA NWC on 9 June 2016 . The Prince welcomed that the government of Jordan is hosting the Network and sought to learn more about the services provided by the Network in its field of specialization .
The Prince , during a meeting with the MENA NWC Deputy Executive Director , Dr . Ghazi Abu Rumman , voiced pride in the Network and it ’ s crucial role as a knowledge hub linking Water Centers of Excellence in the MENA region and promoting science based policy planning to help communities in managing limited water resources while improving the quality of services .
His Highness praised the first round of Networksponsored research projects , including the Policy , Research and Development Grants , Young Water Scientist
Fellowships and Water Innovations Fellowships .
Moreover , His Highness expressed gratitude to the international donors who attended the Partnership Conference held in Aqaba , Jordan on 9-11 May 2016 to address issues of high importance to the
From left to Right : Khaldoun Khashman of ACWUA , Prince Ra ’ ad Bin Zeid , Ghazi Abu-Rumman of MENA NWC region and to establish a strategic and operational partnership between the Network and donors to support the MENA region where water resources are extremely scarce .
His Highness acknowledged the distinguished efforts of the Network and emphasized its service to the region with full support from the Jordanian Government to achieve the Network ’ s goals and mandate in partnership with our member Centers . He also highlighted the importance of implementing water governance and integrity within the MENA NWC business plans .
Science & Knowledge for Advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals- Workshop
MENA NWC participated in a roundtable workshop on “ Science and Knowledge for Advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab Region ” in Cairo , Egypt during May 25-26 , 2016 .
The workshop , organized by UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States- Cairo ( UCO ), aimed at formulating a joint vision and outlines for the effective activation and deployment of science and knowledge for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) in the Arab region .
The interactive workshop , which gathered 30 selected regional experts from 10 Arab Countries ( Lebanon , Sudan , Egypt , Ku- wait , Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , United Arab Emirates , Algeria Jordan , and Morocco ), identified major responsibilities and roles of stakeholders including the potential role of UCO in advancing the science / knowledge and SDG agenda in the Arab region .
Through a series of interactive roundtable discussions , workshop participants explored the regional perspective on Science , Knowledge & the SDGs with emphasis on key related issues including the Science / Knowledge – Development Nexus , STI / SDGs Nexus , as well as governance of Science and Knowledge Strategies .
The meeting recommended specific actions that may be classified along the following SDG relevant axes : Science / knowledge the gateway for achieving the SDGs , STI-SDG Nexus , Science / Knowledge Economy NEXUS , Science / Knowledge , Society and Education / Language NEXUS , Science / Knowledge and Pressing Environmental Challenges , Science / Knowledge and regional and international cooperation .
The participants agreed on establishing the The Arab Network for Knowledge and Sustainable Development ( ANKSD ), MENA NWC representative is part of the Founder ’ s committee of ANKSD .
For more information on MENA NWC , contact :
Shawki Barghouti Executive Director MENA NWC + 1 202 363 4282 sbarghouti @ menanwc . org
John Wilson Bureau for the Middle East USAID + 1 202 712 4633 jwilson @ usaid . gov