Water Security, Gender Equality, and Youth Inclusion for a Sustainable Future in the Arab World

Date: 18 NOVEMBER 2024

Time: 12:50 -13:50/ Paris time (+3h for Baku time)

Place: Online working session

Organised by: CIHEAM and AWC (Arab Water Council)

Interactive Working Session: Water Security, Gender Equality, and Youth Inclusion for a Sustainable Future in the Arab World

The CIHEAM and the Arab Water Council are pleased to announce an interactive working session as part of the Mediterranean Youth in Action event. This online session, entitled “Water Security, Gender Equality, and Youth Inclusion for a Sustainable Future in the Arab World,” will focus on addressing pressing challenges related to water scarcity, climate change, and inclusivity in the Arab region.

This session builds on the session “Voices of young people and women on water security and for a sustainable future” on the occasion of the 6th Arab Water Forum (Abu Dhabi). Co-organized by CIHEAM and other institutions, including UNESCO, this session highlighted the importance of including youth and women in decision-making processes relating to water management. Often considered as the most vulnerable to climate and water crises, women and young people are nevertheless the bearers of innovative solutions. The session concluded with the presentation of a draft joint declaration calling for the empowerment of young people and the integration of the gender dimension in water management policies.

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This COP29 session aims to identify key issues, brainstorm innovative solutions, and develop action plans to tackle these challenges.

With a particular focus on empowering youth and women, the event will explore opportunities for sustainable water management through data-driven strategies, technological innovation, and community mobilization.

Key Highlights of the Session:

• Problem Identification: Discuss the critical issues of water scarcity, the lack of gender-disaggregated data, the underrepresentation of youth and women, and barriers to technological adoption.
• Solution Brainstorming: Propose innovative, youth-led solutions including capacity-building initiatives, the integration of gender-sensitive data, and support for social entrepreneurship.
• Action Planning: Develop a concrete roadmap involving partnerships with policymakers, financial institutions, technology innovators, and civil society.

Speakers and Panelists:

• Amel Azab (Arab Water Council)
• Manal Benani (Africa Europe Foundation)
• Doha Zamel (UfM)
• Bilal Derardja (CIHEAM Bari)
• Aymen Sawassi (CIHEAM Bari)
• Manel Hedhli (CIHEAM Chania)
• Luca Tancredi ( SCPS)