First International Conference "Drought Management: Scientific and technological innovations"

The objective of this Conference is to introduce the new scientific and technological concepts and tools to
be used in drought management plans in the context of agriculture, urban supply, and water management, highlighting the successful experiences based on preparedness and risk-based management as a critical approach to mitigate the impacts associated with drought in societies with different vulnerabilities. Scientific and technological innovations in the fields of climatology, hydrology, drought and drought impact assessment, drought risk and vulnerability analysis and decision support tools for drought management will be presented.

Expo Zaragoza 2008 is an International Exposition regulated by the B.I.E. (Bureau of International
Exhibitions). The central topic of Expo Zaragoza 2008 is Water and Sustainable Development. Expo
Zaragoza 2008 will convey the value of scientific and technical innovation, new uses and renewed formulas of management and social concertation leading to the sustainability of water resources. This Conference on Drought Management is organised within the framework of one of the four main thematic objectives of Expo Zaragoza 2008 “Water, a unique resource“.

The Conference basically will combine two days or scientific and technical exchanges on drought and drought management programmes and tools and one ay will be devoted to a visit to Expo Zaragoza 2008 including an open organised discussion with visitors o the Expo. The scientific and technical exchanges will be structured in three sessions, with keynote guest peakers and also be open to free contributions. he conference will be held at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza on 12 and 13 June 2008 and on the Expo Zaragoza 2008 site on 14 June. (The Expo Zaragoza 2008 site is situated in the "Meandro de Ranillas" at the NW of the city of Zaragoza)

MEDROPLAN is a project funded by the Euro-Mediterranean Regional Programme for Local Water
Management (MEDA Water), coordinated by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza – CIHEAM and with the participation of scientists and stakeholders from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia that have developed Drought Management Guidelines for Mediterranean countries. These guidelines provide an effective and systematic approach to develop drought management plans linking science and policy and that can be applied to other regions.

NEMEDCA is a Network on drought management whose main objective is the international cooperation on
drought management plans in the Near East, Mediterranean and Central Asia. NEMEDCA is supported by
the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean
Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM).