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EMWIS Flash n°70, May 2009
| Released | 28/05/2009 |
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EMWIS Flash -
May 2009 |
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In this issue N°70 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash70)
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HEADLINE
1- Expert workshop on metadata management & referential data sets, Nice (France)
2009-06-08/09
IN BRIEF
2- 9th EMWIS NFP Coordination Seminar, Nice (France) 2009-06-08/10
3- West Mediterranean countries call to relaunch the Union for the Mediterranean
4- Conclusions of the 13th EMWIS Steering committee meeting, 12 May 2009, Monaco
5- FEMIP conference: water solutions must be global
6- CEDEX - IAHR: International perspectives on Environmental/Ecological Aspects
of River Basin Management
7- Conclusions and recommendations from the International Meeting on Water and
Cooperation in Africa
8- 5th water industry gathering: Success assured for SIEE Pollutec 2009
9- 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm: 2nd Announcement & Call for Registration
10- Germany: Demonstrating new domestic waste water management systems
11- France: Towards an observatory for public water supply and sanitation
12- France: National Consultation on updating the repository of French rivers
13- Environmental Reporting and Information Exchanges in the Southern and
Eastern Mediterranean Countries
14- Tunisia: A wastewater treatment plant with reeds bed filters
15- Egypt: The Egyptian EMWIS National Focal Point launched a renewed website
16- Egypt: Historic rights in Nile water preserved
17- Jordan: The EIB supports USD 100 million for a water pipeline from Disi to
Amman
18- Jordan ties up with WEF on water initiative
19- Jordan: National Water Strategy 2008-2022 Adopted
20- Russians to cooperate on Jordan desalination
21- Israel Providing Jordan with Additional Water to Avoid a Crisis in Bilateral
Relations
22- Israel Electric looks for Hadera desalination maintenance
23- ECHO and ACF provide thousands of Palestinian families with clean water
24- Palestine: FoEME calls for replacement of “failed” Joint Water Committee (JWC)
25- Saudi Arabia: The World's Largest Desalination Plant starts production
26- ESA extends its TIGER project
27- Water Footprint Standards to be Established
28- Water rights: The Economist’s take on the water sector
29- Consultation on the next EU Water Facility
30- Clear Drinking Water-Business Cooperation
31- Using small devices to desalinate water
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS
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HEADLINE
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1- EMWIS is organising an expert workshop on metadata management & referential
data sets in Nice (France) on 8-9 June 2009. It aims at: reviewing the needs and
requirements for a metadata catalogue on water information resources in the Med
area; identifying standards and code lists (e.g. for spatial referential data)
necessary to ensure metadata catalogues interoperability, especially with the
Water Information System for Europe -WISE- on the basis of INSPIRE implementing
rules (Spatial Data Infrastructure); promoting the use of interoperable water
metadata catalogues in the Med Partner Countries as part of the development of
their National Water Information Systems; initiating metadata collection in MPC
(that will also be supported by 6 national seminars) as a clearing house
mechanism for the region. This activity is part of a project support by the DG
Env of the European Commission on the preparation of a Med water information
system. Participation is expected from representatives of the European
Environment Agency (EEA), the European Commission - Joint Research Center,
international and National experts, and finally EMWIS National Focal Points (NFP)
from the national water authorities: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco,
Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria.
Further information on
EMWIS website
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IN BRIEF (Full
news)
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2- EMWIS will organize the 9th NFP Coordination Seminar in Nice (France) on 9-10 June 2009, back to back with the metadata management workshop. This Coordination Committee Seminar will be the opportunity to discuss the conclusions of the EMWIS Steering Committee meeting that was held in Monaco on 12 May 2009, especially the proposal for EMWIS to collect and publish information on the water tariff structures in the Mediterranean countries as well as the pilot activity on strengthening water information and monitoring in the Med area (data management systems and common indicators as part ofinitiative to be proposed to the water expert group of the Union for the Mediterranean). The participants will also review the progress of the Joint Process working groups on "water monitoring" (survey ongoing the status of monitoring networks and programmes) and "Availability of Drought and water scarcity indicators". In terms of water information systems, the seminar will address the preparation of technical Guidelines for interoperability with WISE and the definition of geographical references for a water map server covering Med countries (e.g. hydrological infrastruture layers). Finally, EMWIS NFP status and future activities will be discussed. Further information on EMWIS website
3- The 10 countries of the western Mediterranean vowed last 21th April to "overcome obstacles" blocking the relaunch of the Union for the Mediterranean, which has been stalled over the recent war in Gaza. The foreign ministers and senior officials at the so-called "5+5 Forum" called on the French and Egyptian co-presidents of the Union for the Mediterranean "to remain in touch with the parties concerned to create the conditions for a resumption of work" on the project. In a final statement after a one-day meeting in Cordoba, in southern Spain, they emphasized their "willingness to contribute to efforts made to overcome obstacles." The meeting of 21 April in Cordoba brought together foreign ministers or representatives from Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia. Further information on EMWIS website
5- Solutions to the challenge facing Mediterranean water supply in the face of climate change must be global and integrated, according to the recommendations of the 6th FEMIP conference held in Monaco on 11 May. This conference brought together political leaders, water specialists and representatives of financial institutions and international organisations. FEMIP is the dedicated Mediterranean arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB). The conference drew up three main recommendations: The private sector - both local and international - must be involved in the financing of water projects. A general public awareness of the issue must be achieved to enable an integrated management of water issues Greater cooperation must be envisaged through a new Agency for the Mediterranean Basin. Further information on EMWIS website
6- Last March 23rd, a Joint CEDEX-IAHR Seminar on “International perspectives on Environmental/Ecological Aspects of River Basin Management” was organised in Madrid - on the occasion of the annual IAHR Executive Committee meeting. About 200 delegates from Central and Local Government together with consultants and contractors participated to learn about different initiatives related to river basin management at an international level. Further information on EMWIS website
7- On 25 May, on the occasion of Africa Day, the United Nations Office to support the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life' 2005-2015 and Casa Africa published the conclusions and recommendations from the International Meeting on Water and Cooperation in Africa, which took place from 20 to 22 April 2009 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. The main objective of the meeting was to reinforce cooperation tools and mechanisms that will strengthen the capacities of African countries to achieve the Millennium Development target to ‘halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation'. This document has being developed by the organizers with the intent of reflecting all contributions and points discussed in the debates that took place during the meeting. Further information on EMWIS website
8- SIEE Pollutec continues to grow and will welcome in Algiers on 15-18 June 2009 almost 300 exhibiting companies (63% international) presenting their equipments, technologies and services of water management and treatment, and 6,000 trade visitors during 4 days of exceptional business opportunities. This year it will cover more than 9,000 sqm, representing a 15% increase compared with last year. The combination of a still very buoyant economic climate and continued investment in the water sector (new five-year plan 2009-2013) promises a highly favourable environment for this fifth session. Further information on EMWIS website
9- Discounted early registration for the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm (August 16-22) is now open at www.worldwaterweek.org. The Second Announcement contains a preliminary programme and description for the 2009 conference and the 90 workshops, seminars, high level plenaries, social events and prize activities taking place throughout the week. Further information on EMWIS website
10- LIFE environment funds have been applied to help increase knowledge about new sanitation technologies that can separate domestic waste elements for reuse as potential fertiliser products and biogas. European water quality is protected by a variety of different EU policy objectives, including the Water Framework Directive. Waste water management plays an important role in maintaining high levels of water quality and new techniques for improving the overall effectiveness of treating domestic waste water continue to be encouraged by the EU. LIFE projects have been actively supporting this process and these include a German project that took an innovative approach to sustainable sanitation technology. Led by Kompetenz Zentrum Wasser Berlin GmbH, the LIFE-SCST: Sanitation Concepts for separate Treatment of Urine, Faeces and Greywater project focused on reusing treated waste water and recycling waste nutrients. Results were intended to improve on the economic and ecological potential of conventional (end-of-pipe) waste water treatment systems and offer useful international demonstration value for low cost water quality management methodologies. Further information on EMWIS website
11- The launch of a water supply and sanitation observation system in France is the result of a wide consultation with all stakeholders and water users. Ultimately, it should improve the governance of services through monitoring inter-annual indicators to compare the performance of similar services and provide additional explanation on the determination of water prices. It allows to overcome the simplistic comparisons and understand the technical, financial and property issues of public service. The observation system is a tool for local authorities to manage their services, track their changes from one year to another, and compare their performance. The observation system is also a response to the users & citizens demands, wishing to obtain clear information on the price of water and the quality of service. Further information on EMWIS website (See also: France: Should there be an observatory for water consumption in cities?)
12- Under the Geographical Information Group on Water, an expertise on updating the repository French rivers (Carthage DB) is underway. The first step is a collection of user requirements. The OIEau (International Office for Water) has therefore launched a questionnaire to collect them. Further information on EMWIS website
13- The report on "Environmental Reporting and Information Exchanges in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries: Current situation and preliminary needs assessment in Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel" is the outcome of the compilation and analysis of information and documents available within SMAP Clearinghouse, completed by the information collected in the four above-mentioned countries in the course of SMAP RMSU expert missions, and by the main conclusions of national meetings. Further information on EMWIS website
14- In the framework of decentralized cooperation between the Limousin Region (France) and the Governorate of Nabeul (Tunisia), the International Office for Water (OIEau) and Larbre Engineering Ltd. conducted a feasibility study for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant with reeds bed filters. Further information on EMWIS website
15- The Information, Documentation and Decision Support System Department (IDDSSD) of the Ministry of water resources and irrigation, representing the Egyptian EMWIS National Focal Point (NFP), has finalised the its national website of the Euro-Mediterranean Information System of the Knowhow in the Water Sector (EMWIS-SEMIDE). It is noteworthy that work in both versions of the website (English & Arabic) took a year and a half. The development of this site was supported by the Italian cooperation. Further information on EMWIS website
16- Egyptian President Mubarak is following up the developments of argument on the Nile Basin states agreement. To this effect, a meeting by the water ministers in the Nile Basin states will be held in Alexandria next month to resume negotiations on the framework agreement which regulates water shares and cooperation among the eight countries after Egypt had rejected to sign the agreement in its current form which does not explicitly refer to its historic rights in Nile water. The agreement, in its current form, clashes with Egypt's vision of the need for having consultations on any water projects which are being carried out in the Nile Basin states, so that Egyptian interests may not be affected. This came in a statement by Dr. Mohamed Nassr Eddin Allam, the Minister of Water and Irrigation who said President Mubarak is following up the progress of negotiations on this issue. On the Egyptian vision of establishing dams on the River Nile, the Minister of Irrigation said Egypt agrees on any project that aims at developing the Nile Basin states but Egypt's share of water must be preserved. Further information on EMWIS website
17- The EIB signed in Amman (Jordan) a loan of 100 million USD in support of a water pipeline which will bring 100 million m3 of water a year from Disi in the south of the country to Amman. This project will help address water scarcity in Jordan. The loan was signed by EIB Vice-President Philippe de Fontaine Vive in the presence of King Abdallah II. Further information on EMWIS website
18- The Jordanian Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Al Saud, and the Jordanian Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, Suhair Al Ali, mandated last 16 May the World Economic Forum to catalyse a major new partnership initiative on water in Jordan. The initiative will bring together public, private and civil society stakeholders, academics and development agencies, to develop a stream of new water projects that benefit all aspects of Jordanian society, make best use of scarce water resources and attract private as well as public finance. The Ministers set the new initiative the task of mobilising more than $50 million in new projects for Jordan over the next two years. The new partnership arose from a discussion on water held at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East at the Dead Sea in Jordan. Further information on EMWIS website
19- An expert panel presented a new JD5.86 billion water strategy last 12 May to Jordan King Abdullah, who gave the go-ahead for the implementation of the plan. The strategy entails a series of water mega projects to meet the Kingdom’s needs. The strategy, which covers the period up to 2022, seeks to achieve a set of objectives, including the provision of sufficient and safe drinking water, maximising the benefits of surface water and bringing an end to arbitrary pumping from underground wells, among others. Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said the government would endeavour to implement the strategy, emphasising the government's keenness to execute the Disi Water Conveyance Project as soon as possible, among other projects in the sector. The premier also pointed to the ongoing World Bank-funded environmental impact and feasibility studies on the Red-Dead Canal scheme. Further information on EMWIS website
20- Desalination plants were included in a nuclear cooperation agreement signed on 22 May 2009 by Russia and Jordan, which also included power stations, research facilities and personnel training centres to be built in Jordan. This followed an announcement on 17 May 2009, at the World Economic Forum in Amman, that the Aquaba desalination project is expected to start construction in late 2010. Private sector companies would carry out the project with the support of the Ministry of Water & Irrigation and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, while funding of the project was still under examination. The water will eventually be pumped all the way to Amman. The first phase includes taking water from the Red Sea through pipelines to a desalination facility which will be built in Aqaba, quoting a flow of 120 million m³/year rising to 700 million m³/year. However, the design capacity of the plant is only 7 million m³/year. Further information on EMWIS website
21- The recent water crisis in Israel and the neighbouring countries was about to harm bilateral Israeli-Jordanian relations. Israel was asked in the middle of the present water crisis to provide Jordan with millions of cubic meters of water in addition to the already agreed upon amounts, due to a contamination incident that was found in one of the main water canals in Jordan. A month ago, contamination was detected in the East Ghor canal, also known as the King Abdullah Canal (KAC), the main water canal for Jordan. In the wake of this incident Jordan called on its Israeli neighbour to control the sewage flooding in from the Golan Heights which due to much rainfall reached the KAC. As a result, the Israeli Water Authority quickly pumped millions of cubic meters of water from Lake Tiberias to Jordan. The Israeli sources confirmed that the step was to avoid the rising tension with Jordan. Further information on EMWIS website
22- Israel Electric Corporation is negotiating to take over maintenance for the 275,000 m³/d Hadera desalination plant, currently under construction in Israel, according to the Globes financial newspaper. The Hadera reverse-osmosis plant will begin operations later in 2009 or early next year and will purchase electricity from IEC, who, according to the report, have approached the developers about the maintenance contract. The European Investment Bank approved in March 2009 € 35 million (US$ 49 million) financing for a € 70 million (US$ 98 million) extension of the Hadera desalination plant by adding production capacity to deliver an additional 74,000 m³/d. Further information on EMWIS website
23- Almost 10,000 people near Hebron have received direct access to safe water and increased water collection and storage capacity, thanks to an initiative funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO). In a joint press release with ECHO, the International humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger/Action Contre la Faim (ACF), said that over the last four months they had trucked 8,150,000 litres of potable water to the most vulnerable communities of southern Hebron Governorate to support them overcome the devastating effects of the 2008 drought. In parallel, ACF built or rehabilitated 93 traditional cisterns with a combined storage capacity of 10,745,000 litres to help these communities better resist future droughts. These cisterns were built by the unemployed of the area providing 3,590 much needed jobs in the current economic downturn. Further information on EMWIS website
24- EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) calls on the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to replace the failed Joint Water Committee (JWC) with a new joint water management structure that empowers both sides as equal partners. The World Bank report "West Bank and Gaza : assessment of restrictions on Palestinian water sector development" reveals the extent to which water resources and sustainable development are being held hostage to the conflict. As earlier reports of FoEME detailed and the latest World Bank report highlighted, the Joint Water Committee has failed the interests of both peoples, not providing the water quantities needed to Palestinians and not protecting shared Israeli/Palestinian water resources from large scale pollution. Further information on EMWIS website.
25- Saudia Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz pressed a button on 29 April 2009 to start water production at the 800,000 m³/d Jubail II desalination plant, part of the world's largest independent water and power project (IWPP). The 23-year build-own-operate-transfer IWPP represents a US$ 3.4 billion contract. Saudi Arabia has always had an acute fresh water shortage problem. 27 desalination plants have now been constructed in the Kingdom, supplying 70 percent of the country's drinking water as well as more than 28 million megawatts of electricity. A new desalination plant, hailed as being the world's largest, has now been completed in the new Jubail II Industrial Zone in the Kingdom's Eastern Province. Further information on EMWIS website
26- ESA kicked off the second phase of its TIGER initiative at the Fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. The initiative was extended at the request of African water authorities at the First African Water Week in Tunis last year. ESA, representing the Committee of Earth Observation Satellites, launched the TIGER initiative in 2002 to help African countries overcome water-related problems and to bridge Africa's water information gap using Earth Observation (EO) technology. Under TIGER I, ESA provided more than 8500 satellite-based products free of charge to African researchers. Nearly 100 researchers and water operators from more than 40 African countries received personalised training. One of the projects, carried out by the Centre Royal de Télédétecion Spatial of Morocco (CRTS) in collaboration with the Souss-Massa basin authorities, used data acquired by multiple satellites at different times to develop an integrated water information system covering a wide range of water-related information layers, such as surface water bodies, irrigation areas, deforestation, urbanisation and agriculture. These layers helped to characterise the full basin over time and identify the main factors that increase the demand for water. TIGER II aims to build upon this success to support African efforts to develop sustainable observation systems by using EO technology to learn more about the water cycle and to improve water-monitoring resources that will help to establish sound scientific bases for developing effective adaptation or mitigation measures against the impacts of climate change. Further information on EMWIS website
27- Water Foot printing is an issue that will become more important during the time. Especially as it is not overly clear what really should be measured. What is the real direct and indirect use of water in a production and user process? During the conference from 5th to 7th May 2009 in Brussels, managers in water from various disciplines discussed aspects of blue, green and grey water. Which stands for water that is from agricultural source, water that is used in a process and water that is needed to re-establish the state of water for re-use. On 6th May, the discussion partly focussed on one issue - standards. As ISO already is creating a water footprinting standard, the delegates were not sure if this is a bit too early. They want to prevent the situation of the carbon footprint, where different standards are being used. Water foot prints should be better comparable, also because there is a bigger impact through various production cycles and companies. Also the delegates felt a need for comparison and basic figures as there is a lack of reference. Further information on EMWIS website
28- Water does not feature often in The Economist, the world's leading financial and political magazine. So it is perhaps a sign of the times that the World Water Forum in Istanbul triggered a leader as well as a long article in their April 11 edition. The Economist article notes the way that water shortages are having political impact in various countries, and notes that two global trends have added to accelerating pressure on the world's water resources. The first is demography. Over the past 50 years, as the world's population rose from 3 billion to 6.5 billion, water use roughly trebled. The second, argues The Economist, is the shift from vegetarian diets to meaty ones - which contributed to the food-price rise of 2007-08 and has big implications for water, too. In its opinion piece, The Economist wants no part of the "water is a human right" argument, preferring instead a concept of "usage rights" that would be traded by farmers and businesses. Further information on EMWIS website
29- 200 million euros have been approved under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) and guidelines are currently being developed in consultation with NGOs. The EU is planning to put out a call for proposals at the end of 2009. While 200 million euros is not a huge amount in the light of identified deficits in Africa CaribbeanPacific (ACP) countries concerning the MDG targets on water and sanitation, it is still sufficient to make a difference if it is well focused and used to catalyse funds and activities in areas which do not otherwise get enough attention. It should be recalled that the added value of the EU Water Facilty is that it is a unique co-funding mechanism for European and ACP NGOs, civil society organisations and local authorities, if properly targeted to small scale projects benefiting the poor. Further information on EMWIS website
30- AQUAVALLIS company is located in Eastern Europe (Slovenia). They are specialised in filtration systems for drinking water providing innovative systems for water cleaning and its preparation on the basis of nanotechnologies and other technological innovations. Further information on EMWIS website
31- Various attempts have been made to make small devices which can convert salt water into safe drinking water - something that could be a boon to people in remote areas with abundant salt water sources but no potable water. Clear Water Solutions, a Swiss-based company, has developed a very simple method to desalinate and purify water. The device is made from solar cell plates and can produce up to 12-18 litres of fresh drinking water from about 40 litres of sea or salt water per day. Further information on EMWIS website
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NOMINATIONS and
VACANCIES
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32- Institutional Support Officer - World Water Council Headquarters, Marseilles, France - Deadline: 07 June 2009: Under the general supervision of the Director General, the Institutional support Officer prepares the Board of Governors and the Bureau meetings, acts as the Secretariat liaison with the President's Office, support the Director General in preparation and follow-up of meetings, handles contacts with members and partners. Further information on EMWIS website
33- This is a vacancy for an L-3 post in the UNECE secretariat of the Water Convention related to the preparations of the second Assessment of transboundary waters in the UNECE region. Deadline for application, 29 May 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
34- Call for Applications 2009/2010 - PhD Programme in Science and Management of Climate Change: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, in collaboration with the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change (CMCC), launched a 3-year PhD Programme in Science and Management of Climate Change, organised in two Streams: Dynamic Climatology at CMCC in Bologna; and Climate change impact and management, at the Department of Economics of the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. The PhD Programme in Science and Management of Climate Change was established in 2007, through an agreement between the Universita' Foscari in Venice (Unive) and the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change (CMCC), a consortium comprising several Italian public and private Research institutions. The Call for Applications deadline is set at mid June 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
35- Deep Tunnel Sewerage System wins Global Water Award: Singapore's Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) is fast gaining recognition on the global water stage with its second international award in less than a year. Crowned 'Water Project of the Year' at the Global Water Awards 2009 in Zurich (Switzerland), the DTSS was selected as the water project with the most significant contribution to water technology and environmental protection. Further information on EMWIS website
36-
The European Water Partnership (EWP) is currently looking for two interns to assist the Partnership in developing the numerous activities planned for 2009. Active, flexible candidates with good communication skills and an interest in water issues are invited to send a letter and CV to the EWP explaining how their skills and experiences would contribute to the work of the EWP, based in Brussels. The deadline for application is 19 June 2009. Further information on EMWIS website=================================================
PUBLICATIONS
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37- The Final Report of the First Annual West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Forum, 19-20 April 2009, Amman (Jordan) is available online. Further information on EMWIS website
38- Jean-François Donzier, General Director of the International Office for Water (OIEAU) gave an interview at the occasion of the Foundations meetings for the Mediterranean. Jean-François Donzier talked about climate change and the promotion of renewable energy, biodiversity loss, access to water and the fight against desertification, which are the three priority themes of the Foundation of Monaco Prince Albert II. Further information on EMWIS website (Available only in French)
39- In response to the World Bank’s report on restrictions on the Palestinian water sector, which revealed the extent to which water resources and sustainable development are being held hostage to the conflict, FoEME released its own “Model Water Agreement”. Further information on EMWIS website
40- The Conclusions and the recommendations of the International Seminar on the desalination of water: an opportunity for regions with shortage of water? held in Tangier (Morocco) on 8-10 May 2009, are now available online. As part of their 10th Mediterranean meetings, the "Moroccan Friendship engineers for rural engineering: AIGR" and the association: "Mediterranean Exchanges, for water, forest and development", held from 8 to 10 May 2009 in Tangiers (Morocco), under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fishing, an international seminar on water desalination: an opportunity for regions with shortage of water? Further information on EMWIS website
41- "Perspectives on Development" is published twice a year, it outlines the role of the World Bank as a catalyst for growth in international investment private sector development, water and sanitation, agriculture, energy and natural resources, education, public health, poverty reduction and other priority areas. Further information on EMWIS website
42- "Managing Water for All: An OECD Perspective on Pricing and Financing": This report examines: strategic financial planning for water supply and sanitation that balances the key resources of revenues for the water sector - the "3Ts" of taxes, tariffs and transfers; the design and implementation of water pricing strategies that balance financial sustainability with other policy objectives; recent development in private sector participation in the water sector; and trends and the future outlook of water use in agriculture. It considers both developing and OECD countries and offers concrete recommendations and checklists for action. The report is an invaluable resource for policy makers, academics, NGOs and all others interested in the challenges facing the water sector today. Further information on EMWIS website
43- 2008 Report of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development: "Arab environment: future challenges": this report launches a series of other reports to follow, each of which will concentrate on specific topics of particular significance to the Arab region. The preparation of this report was facilitated through a grant from the OPEC Fund for International Development. Further information on EMWIS website
44- Egyptian Hydraulics Research Institute (HRI) is one of twelve research institutes within the National Water Research Center (NWRC) of the Ministry of Water Resources & Irrigation (MWRI). It was established in 1975 to take over and extend the work of the Hydraulic Research & Experiment Station founded in 1949.The Institute is one of the oldest hydraulic institutes in the Middle East and Africa. This institute has just launched a new website. Further information on EMWIS website
45- France: Launch of the website on "domestic drilling" - Statement of wells and boreholes made for domestic use. It is accessible at the following address: www.forages-domestiques.gouv.fr . Further information on EMWIS website
46- WHO book examines calcium and magnesium in water: The desalination industry spends a lot of its time removing calcium and magnesium from water. , This book includes a comprehensive consensus view from experts assembled by the World Health Organization on what is known and what is not about the role and possible health benefit of calcium and magnesium in drinking water. Further information on EMWIS website
47- THES'ENVIR, the new environmental thesaurus is available. In 2002, the network "Link: Languedoc-Roussillon", comprising 14 information centres in the field of environment, agreed on the need for a thesaurus covering all their areas of action and skills. A working group was formed and worked to achieve THES'ENVIR. The thesaurus has been built mainly by synthesis approach. It unfolds in 18 chapters and 4 indexes that cover all areas of environment and sustainable development. Further information on EMWIS website
48- A common vision for water innovation has been released by the WssTP (the Water supply and sanitation Technology Platform) at the Research Connection 2009 conference held in Prague in May 2009. This the reference platform in Research & Technology water sector is sponsored by the European Commission. Further information on EMWIS website.
49- The third edition of the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, has been comprehensively updated to take account of developments in risk assessment and risk management since the second edition. It describes a "Framework for Drinking-water Safety" and discusses the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, including the complementary roles of national regulators, suppliers, communities and independent "surveillance" agencies. Further information on EMWIS website
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CALL FOR
TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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50- New forums have been created at EMWIS website, offering a space for interfacing and exchanging between organisations and people interested in finding partners or building consortiums to apply to the current calls for proposals (announced below & others). Feel free to participate in. Further information on EMWIS website
51- "ENPI CBC-MED: First call for proposals for Standard Projects": The "ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2007/2013" is a multilateral cross-border cooperation programme co-financed by the European Union under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The Programme provides the framework for the implementation of cross-border and cooperation activities in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy, complementing efforts exerted within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, with the final aim of developing an area of peace, stability, prosperity and good neighbourliness involving EU Mediterranean Countries (EUMC) and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC). The general objective of the Programme is to contribute to promoting the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. Priority: 1. Promotion of socio-economic development and enhancement of territories; 2. Promotion of environmental sustainability at the basin level; 3. Promotion of better conditions and modalities for ensuring the mobility of persons, goods and capitals; 4. Promotion of cultural dialogue and local governance. The present call for proposals is open to all the 4 Programme Priorities and to the 10 related Measures. The allocated budget for this first call for proposals is € 32.811.784. Deadline for submission of project proposals: September, 16th 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
52- LIFE+ Call for Proposals and Workshops: For this third LIFE+ call for proposals, the deadline for the submission of proposals to the Member States is 15 September 2009. Up to €250 million is available for this call. Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 15 September 2009. Thereafter, national authorities will send project proposals on to the European Commission by 22 October 2009, and the Commission will check the outline projects against the LIFE+ eligibility criteria and will assess proposals on the basis of the LIFE+ selection and award criteria. Final announcement of the projects chosen for funding is expected in July/August 2010, with projects starting work at the beginning of 2011. Project promoters are encouraged to make best use of the time available up to the deadline for submission of proposals to national authorities (15 September). Project proposals should be carefully checked to ensure that they are in line with all the criteria set out in the call documents. To coincide with this call, the European Commission is organising LIFE+ Information Workshops in each Member State. The aim of the workshops is to inform potential applicants about the LIFE+ Programme and the requirements for submitting a proposal. For more information on the workshops, click here. Further information on EMWIS website
53- The Service Procurement Notice for analysis for ENPI countries on social and economic benefits of enhanced environment protection has been published(EuropeAid/127881/C/SER/Multi). This contract will be dealing with the countries participating in all of the countries of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and Russia. Building on previous and on-going work, this project will finalise and apply a methodology to assess the societal benefits of environmental protection to all of the countries of the ENP and Russia, achieving improved understanding and awareness of the economic and social benefits of environmental improvement, and capacity to integrate environmental considerations into wide policy development. The need for this type of study has been discussed with key International Financial Institutions (IBRD, EIB) as well as with officials in the Ministry of Environment in target countries. The maximum budget for the contract is €1.3 million. The provisional commencement date is September 2009, and initial period of implementation is 18 months. Participation is open to legal persons established in an EU Member State or in a country or territory of the regions covered by the specific instruments applicable to the programme under which the contract is financed. It is also open to international organisations. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, 5 June 2009, 16:00 CET, following a corrigendum extending the deadline. Further information on EMWIS website
54- Decision on third call for INTERREG IVC: Call for Capitalisation projects to launch end 2009, Regional Initiative projects after second call analysis: The INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee has decided on the perspective for a third call for projects, at the fourth programme Monitoring Committee meeting in Prague, 14-15 May. A two-step package has been agreed upon, with differing dates for Capitalisation projects and Regional Initiative projects (RIP). A call for Capitalisation projects only will be opened at the end of 2009 while a call for Regional Initiative projects will be launched following an analysis at programme level of the approved projects from the first and second calls. A series of seminars and information events will be organised by the Joint Technical Secretariat, and the Information Points, in 2009-2010 to prepare applicants in understanding the characteristics of the call, once decided by the Monitoring Committee. A dedicated Capitalisation event will be organised under the chairmanship of the Swedish presidency of the EU in December 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
55- "Call for project proposals : Climate change": The global internet forum On the Frontlines of Climate Change was launched in June 2008 by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. Projects could explore any topic relating to climate change and local communities. For example: a) Local observations and understandings of climate change impacts (negative or positive) on communities, livelihoods or local environments; b) Ways that your community is adapting to or dealing with climate change; etc. Proposals should reach UNESCO on or before 15 July 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
56- 2009 best practices for spatial data infrastructures: The objective of the eSDI-NET+ project is to establish a network for communication and knowledge exchange of best practices on European Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI), which will enhance the use of geographic information provided by the GMES. Recently, a call for submission of best practices on SDI's has been launched, focusing on sub national level, for the purpose of a board assessment campaign. After all the applicants have been evaluated through interviews and local workshops, successful ones will be awarded during an international conference planned for the end of 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
57- Mediterranean projects for scientific cooperation between universities (MERS) Call for tender 2009: "L'Agence universitaire de la Francophonie" will co-finance 10 projects to enhance the cooperation and take advantage of scientific and academic skills that make up the Mediterranean basin. Deadline: 31 August 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
58- The intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) has issued a Call entitled “Earth Observations in Decision Support Projects” that seeks to identify projects that demonstrate the benefits of Earth observation applications to end users in developing countries, particularly in the fields of agriculture, energy, human health and water. Concept Proposals Due: 4 June 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
59- A tender has been issued for water treatment and desalination systems for Egypt's Ain Sokha Power Project with a deadline of 17 August 2009. The joint clients are Egyptian Electricity Holding Company and East Delta Electricity Production Company, and the consultant is Engineering Consultants Group of Cairo. The project will be financed by the World Bank. Further information on EMWIS website
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CALL FOR PAPERS
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60- First Announcement to Current Issues in Water supplies and Sewage 2009: The conference will take place in Thermal Spa SVETI MARTIN Sv. Martin na Muri, Croatia on 11-15 November 2009. The Conference is traditionally taking place every year, hosting more than 500 specialists in the field. The participants come from Croatia and otther South-Eastern European countries as well as from: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, United Kingdom; and other. Registration deadline: 12 June 2009. Complete paper deadline: 12 June 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
61- GI_Forum 2009 calls for Poster Submission and Participation: GI_Forum focuses on an international audience that shares an interest in Applied Geoinformatics. This Call for Participation aims at researchers who design, develop and apply advanced methods and techniques of Geoinformatics to a broad range of application domains. Deadline for submission of extended abstracts for poster presentation: June 5, 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
63- Call for papers for the 3rd International Symposium of the history of wetlands: Wetlands and cities yesterday and today, that will be held on 25, 26, 27 March 2010 at the University of Valenciennes - Faculté des Lettres, Langues, Arts et Sciences Humaines (France). Deadline for proposals submission: 15 October 2009. Further information on EMWIS website
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TRAINING
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64- SMAP launches e-learning course on indicators: from water quality to progress towards achieving the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development. The Indicators elearning course from SMAP III TA is designed for anyone interested in discovering what indicators are and how to use them, and as a refresher for those with some experience with indicators but who may be experiencing difficulties. Further information on EMWIS website
65- The Arab Water Academy is launching a first series of programs, one of them focusing on water governance. This water governance program will involve three one-week modules that will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE (27th June - 2nd July 2009, November 2009, February 2010). Mid-level professionals involved in water governance issues with the government, a university, the private sector, or an NGO in the Middle East North Africa region are invited to apply. Applicants must be nominated by a host organization from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. This programme is organised in collaboration with the USAID. Further information on EMWIS website
66- WATENV is a research oriented international Master of Science Programme hosted at Leibniz University of Hanover, Germany. Students obtain interdisciplinary knowledge and key qualifications in the field of sustainable water resources management. There is a growing demand for experts in water related subjects, which offers great job opportunities in the developing countries above all. Duration: 2 years (1.5 years in-class, 0.5 years Master thesis). Final Degree: Master of Science (MSc). Further information on EMWIS website
67- [2009/06/28 - 2009/07/03] Advanced Training Course on Land Remote Sensing, Prague, Czech Republic
Further information on EMWIS website
68- [2009/06/18 - 2009/06/18] IOWater training on "Rain Water Management" (Journée de l'OIEau sur "Le traitement des eaux pluviales"), Paris, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
69- [2009/06/01 - 2009/06/19] 2009 AEDyR Desalination Course, Madrid, Spain
Further information on EMWIS website
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EVENTS (Full
Agenda)
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[2009/06/30 - 2009/07/02] 6th Research and Development Conference of Central and Eastern European Institutes of Agricultural Engineering, Raundonvaris, Lithuania
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/28 - 2009/06/30] Gouvernance urbaine et changement climatique dans les pays de la région MENA, Marseille, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/28 - 2009/06/30] Fifth Urban Research Symposium: "Cities and Climate Change: Responding to an Urgent Agenda", Marseille, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/28 - 2009/07/02] The 11th Cannes Water Symposium, Cannes, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/25 - 2009/05/27] European Water Resources Association (EWRA) 7th International Conference: Water Resources Conservancy and Risk Reduction Under Climatic Uncertainty, Limassol, Cyprus
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/23 - 2009/06/25] Managing Natura 2000 rivers: restoration, monitoring and linking with the Floodplain, Salisbury, England
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/22 - 2009/06/26] The 10th International Meeting on Soils with Mediterranean Type of Climate, Beirut, Lebanon
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/22 - 2009/06/24] The 13th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD): “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Experience and Strategies in the Mediterranean”, Cairo, Egypt
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/16 - 2009/06/18] Water Resources Assessment and Drought Mitigation, Amman, Jordan
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/15 - 2009/06/19] INSPIRE Conference 2009, the Eleventh International Conference of the GSDI Association and the national conference on Dutch SDI: Results and Challenges, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/15 - 2009/06/18] ALGERIE : 5ème SIEE Pollutec - Salon International des Equipements et services de l'Eau, Algiers, Algeria.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/14 - 2009/06/19] SGEM 2009 International Geo-Conference & EXPO, Albena Resort, Bulgaria
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/14 - 2009/06/18] Jordan Water Sector Orientation Visit, Washington, USA
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/14 - 2009/06/14] Journée nationale « Protégeons l’eau et la nature», Paris, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/13 - 2009/06/16] Towards a cleaner Mediterranean region, Alexandria, Egypt
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/12 - 2009/06/14] Informal Meeting of Ministers for the Environment, Prague, Czech Republic
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/10 - 2009/10/12] Conférence Ouverture 88e Congrès de l'ASTEE: Les services publics locaux de l'environnement et l'Europe - Enjeux et opportunités, Nice, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/08 - 2009/06/10] EMWIS 9th NFP Coordination Seminar, Nice, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/08 - 2009/06/09] Expert workshop on metadata management & referential data sets, Nice, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/08 - 2009/06/09] HYDRALAB Second Young Persons Dissemination meeting, Barcelona, Spain
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/08 - 2009/06/26] UNEP Finance Initiative's e-Learning Course on Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities for the Finance Sector, June 2009
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/03 - 2009/06/04] Colloque national MEEDDAT / Cemagref : " Risque Inondation : quels défis pour la recherche en appui à l'action publique?", Lyon, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/02 - 2009/06/05] 8th World Wide Workshop for Young Environmental Scientists -- WWW-YES 2009, Paris – Créteil, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/02 - 2009/06/05] The international IMPETUS Africa Conference: Global Change in Africa - Projections, Mitigation and Adaptation, Cologne, Germany
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/06/01 - 2009/06/02] Seminar on "the reuse of regenerated waters: actual questions and challenges of future", Murcia, Spain
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/28 - 2009/05/29] Corporate Water Footprinting and Managing Water Resources, London, UK
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/28 - 2009/05/29] 10y ECRR: Synergies between River Restoration and River Management; Focussing on Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites, Lelystad, The Netherlands
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/27 - 2009/05/27] Legal Instrument for SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System): Proposal, Brussels, Belgium.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/28 - 2009/05/29] 2nd IWA International Symposium on Water and Wastewater in Ancient Civilizations, Bari, Italy
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/28 - 2009/05/29] STRIVER Conference: Integrated water resources management in theory and practice, Brussels, Belgium
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/27 - 2009/05/31] Festival Africain sur l'Ecologie et le Développement Durable de Casablanca: « L’eau c’est la vie.», Casablanca, Morocco
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/27 - 2009/05/29] Le 2éme édition du Forum mondial sur l'Union pour la Méditerranée (UPM) : "UPM : Quel bilan pour quelles perspectives ?", Fez, Morocco
Further information on EMWIS website
[2009/05/27 - 2009/05/30] Global Change – Challenges for Soil Management, Tara Mountain, Serbia
Further information on EMWIS website
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BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
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