2011 - 2012 Model Arab League BACKGROUND GUIDE

Council of Arab Environmental Affairs Ministers ncusar.org/modelarableague

Exploring ways to continue the Arab Water Councils vision for integrated and sustainable water resources management in an effort to improve the access to and quality of drinking water. I. Introduction to the Topic A. General Background One of the emerging major environmental concerns today is water conservation, which involves sanitation, accessibility, and waste management. Water conservation also involves the aspects of energy and environmental conservation, intertwining factors in the practice of water management. The Arab Water Council is the regions first Arab water think tank, founded to spearhead water preservation efforts. As populations continue to rapidly grow, water resources have been in greater demand throughout the world, specifically in the Arab world Water is scarce in the Arab region and many predict that any possible climate change will exacerbate this situation3. Many factors strain already sensitive water resources. Industrialization, economic development, urbanization, and population growth have reduced the availability of water resources at an alarming rate. Experts predict that Yemen may be the first country in history to literally run out of water. Not only does water insecurity affect the basic needs of populations but also harms the agricultural sector, making it difficult to produce common foods and to provide essential nutrition. Economically, the poor are affected dramatically not only directly, but also through the impact on their livestock. Chart of water scarcity by region:

http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/171 http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/171

B. History of the Topic in the Arab World The most prominent entity in the Arab world currently pursuing solutions to the ongoing water insecurity of the region is the Arab Water Council. The Arab Water Council has launched many initiatives and is considered an authority in this field. It provides a helpful stepping stone for water improvement endeavors in this part of the world. The Arab League needs to build on these contributions to increase water improvement activities in the region. C. Finding a Solution to the Problem: Past, Present, Future Resources are limited in efforts to promote water security and water quality. Many solutions have been proposed and some are already in practice but have uncertain environmental consequences according to many skeptics. Desalination, rainwater harvesting, and water trade are techniques and methods currently used in the effort to alleviate demand issues for member states and cross-national ecosystems. In regard to addressing demand concerns, improvement of current technology, water reallocation, logistical advancement (distribution), and public education, as venues for managing demand.

II. Questions to Consider in Your Research What is my countrys policy on the issue? What are my countrys concerns regarding water conditions and practices? What has my country done to address the issue? Has my country signed any relevant treaties or protocols on water resource management? Would my country support any political, economic, and or social endeavors on the issue of water resource management?

i. ii. iii. iv. v.

III. Questions a Resolution Might Answer i. How may the committee address the issue of water resource management in the Arab world? ii. Should the committee create a treaty or protocol to address the issue? iii. What are regional concerns or dilemmas on the issue? iv. What role can civil society, inter-governmental, and non-governmental institutions play in resolving the issue of water resource management for the region? IV. Resources to Review -Arab Water Council http://www.arabwatercouncil.org/index.ph p -World Resources Institute http://www.wri.org/ -EarthTrends http://earthtrends.wri.org /