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Dialogue with Arab League States
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Dialogue with Arab League States on Water and Sanitation

Concept

(c) UNSGAB Secretariat

Outline of the Dialogue:
Date: November 17th (Monday), 2008
Venue: Marriot Hotel , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Organizer: Arab League, UNSGAB
Hosts: Government of Saudi Arabia
Arab Water Council (AWC)
Participants: Country representatives from Arab League States



Questions and Issues to Guide the Arab States Regional Dialogue on Water and Sanitation:

Arab States face particular water management challenges considering the arid environment and high precipitation fluctuations. Given these challenges, it is especially critical to have sound water and sanitation policies, infrastructure and institutions in place. In this connection, it would be helpful to have one body identified as the platform for regional cooperation. One possibility is the Arab Water Ministers Council on Water. Perhaps an Arab League representative could comment on this new body and to explain how this body and UNSGAB could collaborate.

(c) UNSGAB Secretariat

The following questions are based on the HAP and it would be helpful for participants to think about these issues in advance of the discussion. A quick review of the HAP would also be helpful for those not familiar with the document. It is important to keep in mind that the questions should help enable discussion and not constrain the dialogue. Participants are asked to keep speeches and prepared announcements as short as possible.

  • Financing: Is your country able to secure adequate financing for water and sanitation in national policy? Does your county experience sub sovereign lending to local utilities and local debt markets?
  • Water Operators Partnerships: Do water operators in your country have the adequate skills and capacity to deliver services?
  • Sanitation: Is there enough priority given to sanitation in national policy and budgets of your country? Is there a need for a clear cut national strategy and plan for sanitation? Has the International Year of Sanitation proved useful in your country?




Desired Outcome:
Along with greater understanding regarding regional water and sanitation challenges and the HAP, participants could focus on several areas where future collaboration among Arab States institutions and UNSGAB would support water and sanitation in areas most in need. These ideas will be recorded in a Chair's Summary which is simply a record of the meeting that can serve as a reference document to be shared among participants and externally.





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