Press Release

OPEC Fund approves US$400,000 grant for water conservation project in Arab region

23/2005 March 15, 2005, Vienna, Austria

The OPEC Fund for International Development today approved a grant of US$400,000 in support of a project to promote efficient water use in 21 Arab countries. Implemented by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), the project seeks to increase public awareness of water scarcity and encourage a more sustainable use of water as a depleting resource.

The Arab Region is on the verge of a serious water crisis, with annual per capita water share standing at just 940m³, compared with a worldwide average of 7,650m³. Almost 90% of water consumed in the region is used for agriculture.

In cooperation with the national authorities of each participating country, AOAD will implement an intensive information campaign, using a wide range of media, to inform the public about the critical water situation and the need to use resources sparingly. The project will target consumers in all sectors – agriculture, industrial and domestic. Campaigns will be tailored to the specific needs of each sub-region (Mashreq, Maghreb, Arab Peninsula and Central), as identified by specialist technical teams.

A second thrust of the project will concentrate on the agriculture sector and involve training programs for rural women and farmers on optimizing the use of limited water resources. The OPEC Fund grant will be utilized to support this component.

This is the sixth grant the OPEC Fund has extended to the AOAD. Previous assistance has focused on activities for the control of agricultural pests and livestock disease, including the Red Palm Weevil, the Old World Screwworm, Rift Valley Fever, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Data Summary: