The 3rd Hamburg Water Forum for the EMA Region

May 31, 2015 - June 2, 2015

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

The 3rd German-Arab Water Forum

Water scarcity represents a global challenge, especially for the Arab countries. 14 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries are located in the Arab region and even modest changes in the social, economic, political and environmental circumstances of a country can have a significant impact on its water management. To address these effects on the water sector, the EMA is currently organizing the 3rd German-Arab Water Forum.

3rd German-Arab Water Forum

Refugee pressure and the water sector:

Transforming an area of confrontation into one of economic cooperation

May 31st – June 2nd, 2015

Chamber of Commerce | Amman, Jordan |

The unprecedented number of refugees arriving in the host countries throughout the entire Arab region has caused a rapid increase in the demand for water and waste water services and put pressure on the water infrastructure.

Households, industry and agriculture compete fiercely for the scarce resource. The effects on the water sector are already perceptible: precipitously dropping water tables, rising salinity and strictly limited water supply per capita to an extent that sanitation and hygiene standards decline and subsistence crops wither.

The distribution of water between the local residents and the refugees brings along further challenges. In addition, gender-specific aspects regarding water supply and usage deserve special attention. The participation and empowerment of women in the water sector can contribute significantly to raise awareness for the scarce water resources in the affected regions.

The 3^rd German-Arab Water Forum strives for the continuation of the “High Level Conference on Jordan’s Water Crisis”, organized by the Jordanian Government in 2013 and the “Berlin Conference on the Syrian Refugee Situation” organized by the German Federal Office in October 2014. The key result of the conferences is the need for strengthening international cooperation and to modernize and rehabilitate the water infrastructure in order to adapt to the increasing demand in the future.

German companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, offer customized solutions and products at the cutting edge of technology in the water sector and can contribute to mitigate the effects of the refugee pressure in the long term. The 3^rd German-Arab Water Forum aims at fostering public-private partnerships and at developing sustainable and efficient solutions for the water sector in order to mitigate the tense situation.

In this process, the forum offers the ideal environment for an exchange between leaders from economic authorities, business innovators from small and medium-sized companies, and academic luminaries.

Program

“Refugees and the Water Sector – transforming an area of confrontation into one of economic cooperation”
Arrival, Saturday, May 31

Arrival in Amman (Flights to be booked individually)ffee break and b2b-exchange in the exhibition hall

DAY 1, Sunday, May 31 | Amman Chamber of Commerce

8:00 – 9:00 am

Registration

9:00 – 10:30 am

Opening Ceremony and Keynotes

Moderated by Clara Gruitrooy, Managing Director EMA e.V., Federal Republic of Germany

WORDS OF WELCOME

H.E. Issa Murad, President, Amman Chamber of Commerce, Hashemite Kingdom of JordanH.E. Christian Wulff, former Federal President of Germany, EMA-President, Federal Republik of GermanyH.E. Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, CEO, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, Hashemite Kingdom of JordanH.E. Dr. Hazim El-Nasser, Minister of Water and Irrigation Jordan,
Hashemite Kingdom of JordanOPENING KEYNOTEHRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Honorary President of EMA, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

10:30 – 11:00 am

Coffee break and b2b-exchange in the Exhibition Hall | Press Interviews

11:00 am –

12:30 pm

Panel Discussion with Audience ParticipationRefugees and the Water Sector

The Challenge of Effective Donor Coordination and Clustering of Projects
H.E. Dr. Hazim El-Nasser, Minister of Water and Irrigation Jordan,
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Water Resources in the Arab Region: Status Quo and Future Prospects
H.E. Mohamad Al Machnouk, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Lebanese Republic

The Refugee Situation in Jordan
Andrew Harper, UNHCR Representative Jordan, UNHCR, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Water Security in the Arab Region and the Importance of International Cooperation
H.E. Shahira Wahbi, Chief of Sustainable Development and International
Environmental Cooperation, League of Arab States

Professional Training in Resource Management and Sustainability Through Modern Teaching Methods
Prof. Dr. Garabed Antranikian, President, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Germany

Enhancing Public-Private Collaboration in the Arab Region
Harald Luxen, Member of the Board of Directors, EMA, Germany

Chairperson:
Prof. Dr. Odeh Al-Jayyousi, Sustainable Developement Professionals Inc. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

12:30 – 01:30 pm

Lunch and opportunities for b2b exchange in the exhibition hall

01:30 – 03:00 pm

Workshop I: Water Supply and Infrastructure in Arab Refugee and Host Communities

Working Title to be Named
H.E. Imad N. Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Water in Light of Increasing Population in Djibouti
H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Awaleh, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Fishery Resources, Republic of Djibouti

The Water Sector in Tunisia: Reality and Prospects
Mosbah Al-Helali, Central Manager for Strategic Water Studies, Société Nationale d´Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux, Tunisia

Sub-regional Syrian Crisis: Stabilizing Essential Urban Services
Michael Talhami, Regional Water and Habitat Adviser for the Middle East, International Committee of the Red Cross

KSB Group – More than a Pump Supplier
Tönjes Cerovsky, Regional Executive Officer, Middle East & Africa – KSB ME FZE Dubai

Sustainable Water Management: Study Scholarships and Research Grants
Andreas Wutz, Director, German Academic Exchange Service, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Chairperson:
Dr. Hakam El-Alami, Advisor to HRH Prince El-Hassan bin Talal on Water and Sanitation, Majlis El-Hassan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

01:30 – 03:00 pm

Workshop II: Sanitation and Sustainable Water Treatment Technology

The Challenges of Sewage Rehabilitation in Urban Areas with High Refugee Concentration
H.E. Tawfiq Habashne, Secretary General, Water Authority Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Working Title to be Named
H.E. Dr. Qutaiba Ibrahim Turki Jassim Al-Jubouri, Minister of Environment, Iraq

Sanitation Services and Sustainable Water Treatment in Refugee Camps
Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Representative Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Water Sector Vulnerability and Linkages to Human Health under Climate Change Conditions in Water Stressed Countries
Dr. Munjed Al-Sharif, Vice Dean, Water and Environment Engineering, German Jordanian University, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Advanced Ecological Water Management Solutions
Tariq Kaddoura, Founder & CEO, ecoglobe GmbH, Federal Republic of Germany

Mobile Units for Drinking Water

Richard Müller, Managing Director, Schoeller Water GmbH, Federal Republic of

Germany

Chairperson:
Maryam Mamozai, Lawyer, MM-Legale, Federal Republic of Germany

03:00 – 03:15 pm

Coffee break and B2B-Exchange

03:15 – 04:45 pm

Workshop IIIIndustry, Agriculture and Increasing Population: Competing for the Scarce Water Resources

Water Scarcity in an Uncertain Times
H.E. Dr. Hassan Janabi, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iraq to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Iraq

Energy Saving Potential in the Drinking Water Systems in the Arabic Countries with special focus on Pumping Stations and Energy Generation
Holger Laenge, Project leader, Hamburg Water Group/ CONSULAQUA Hamburg Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Federal Republic of Germany

Agriculture in Water Scarce Countries
H.E. Dr. Khaled Elshuraydeh, Secretary General, Higher Council for Science and Technology, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Energy Saving Potential in the Drinking Water Systems in the Arabic Countries (Mena Region) with special focus on Pumping Stations and Energy Generation
Examples from Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco from the ACWUA Want Program Energy Training
Holger Laenge, Project leader, Hamburg Water Group/ CONSULAQUA Hamburg Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Federal Republic of Germany

The West Asia-North Africa Food-Water System in the Context of Refugee Pressure
Heather Elaydi, Research Fellow, West Asia North Africa Institute, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Bio Char / Cool Terra – A Substrate That Helps Build Productive Soil. A Sponge for Water Scarce Areas
Stephane Thion, Head of International, Cool Planet, California/USA

Chairperson:
Jürgen Hogrefe, CEO, hogrefe Consult, Federal Republic of Germany

04:45 – 05:00 pm

Snack and B2B-exchange in the Exhibition Hall

05:00 – 06:00 pm

CLOSING CEREMONYReview of Workshops and Panel DiscussionChairperson: H.E. Dr. Hazim El-Nasser, Minister of Water and Irrigation Jordan,
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

H.E. Issa Murad, President, Amman Chamber of Commerce, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Maryam Mamozai, Lawyer, MM Legale, Federal Republic of Germany
Prof. Dr. Odeh Al-Jayyousi, Sustainable Development Professionals Inc., Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Dr. Hakam Al-Alami, Advisor to HRH Prince El-Hassan bin Talal on Water and Sanitation, Majlis El-Hassan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Jürgen Hogrefe, CEO, Hogrefe Consult, Federal Republic of Germany
H.E. Christian Wulff, Former Federal President of Germany, EMA-President, Federal Republic of Germany
H.E. Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, CEO, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Prof. Dr. Garabed Antranikian, President, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Federal Republic of

Germany

08:30 pm

Gala Dinner upon special invitation by Amman Chamber of Commerce

DAY 2, Monday, June 1, 2015 | Amman and Zaatari

07:30 – 09:00 am	Transportation to Al Al-Bayt University
09:00 – 11:15 am	Reception of the delegation in Al Al-Bayt University, Mafraq by the President of Al-Al-Bayt University Mr. Dia Eddin ArafaVisit of the university´s water treatment plant
11:15 – 11:30 am	Transportation to Zaatari Camp
11:30 – 06:00 pm	Visit of Zaatari Refugee Camp Reception by the Camp Management Tour in the Camp Visit of the water treatment plant in the Camp Visit of the archeological site Umm El Jimal with lunch on siteTransportation to the Project Site Al Khirba Al-SamraVisit of Al-Kharba Al-Samra Water plant
06:00 pm	Bus transfer to Amman
08:00 pm	Dinner for the Delegation

DAY 3, Tuesday, June 2, 2015 | Aqaba

04:30 am	Bus Transfer to Amman Airport
06:45 – 07:40 am	Flight from Amman to Aqaba (RJ300)
08:30 – 10:00 am	Business Breakfast in the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce Kindly hosted by Amer Ibraheem Al Masri, President of Aqaba Chamber of Commerce
10:00 – 10:30 am	Transportation to Aqaba Water
10:30 am – 12:30 pm	Visit of Aqaba Water, local waterworks, AqabaPresentation and exhibition of water projects
12:30 – 3:00 pm	Visit of Ayla Oasis with boat trip on the Red Sea with lunch on board and B2B opportunities
03:00 – 04:00 pm	Transportation to Wadi Rum Valley
04:00 – 05:00 pm	The Disi Aquifer: Chances for new water resources for Amman Successful environment protection and water conservation strategies in Wadi Rum Valley and Aqaba Best-practice of sustainable water supply in arid regions
05:00 – 06:00 pm	Bedouin Experience in Camp Site
06:00 – 07:45 pm	Dinner and herbal tea in Camp Site

End of Program

Report

Water – the element of cooperation and neither of conflict or hostility in the Arab world

This is the key message of the 3^rd German-Arab Water Forum which was held from May 31 – June 2. For the third time high-ranking representatives from economics, politics and science from the Arab region accepted EMA’s invitation and gathered in Amman Chamber of Commerce in Jordan.

The EMA-delegation of around 70 persons and 250 Jordanian participants were welcomed in the conference by HE Issa Haider Murad, President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, EMA-President Christian Wulff, Former Federal President of Germany and HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, CEO of TAG-Org.

HE Dr. Hazim El-Nasser, Minister of Water and Irrigation highlighted in his speech in particular the role of the forum as platform for governments, donors and the private sector to discover and match the needs.

Honorary President of EMA and patron of the Forum, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal delivered the keynote. He highlighted that water and human security can only be achieved by close cooperation with the international community and regional stability. HRH concluded by saying “There is a growing need to understand carrying capacity, and build a capability to equitably accommodate the needs of its population and to ensure human security and dignity.”

High-ranking experts contributed with valuable insights to the panel discussion and workshops of the conference that featured a wide range of topics. HE Mohamad Al-Machnouk, Minister of Environment of Lebanon and his Iraqi counterpart, HE Dr. Qutaiba al Joubari stressed the importance of water in the future.

In light of the current refugee crises in Yemen and Somali, Djibouti Minister of Agriculture and Figheries HE Mohamad Awaleh informed about water management challenges in Djibouti.

Representatives of UNHCR, UNICEF and the ICRC informed about the current refugee situation in Jordan and the bordering countries. In particular the need to convert short term crisis management into long term solutions was discussed.

HE Shahira Wahbi, Head of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, emphasized the need of close cooperation of the Arab states to face current challenges in the water sector.

The closing ceremony affirmed the strong partnership of economics and politics between Germany and the Arab region and recognized Germany as the first and most important partner with regard to water technology.

On June 1, the framework program included a visit to the Refugee Camp at Zaatari in the Northern area of Jordan that is suffering most from the refugee pressure. During a reception and tour of Al Al-Beit University in Mafraq as well as during visits in Zaatari Camp and the Khirbet As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant, the delegation was able to gain an insight into the local water infrastructure.

Furthermore, a visit of the archaeological site Umm El-Jimal and a reception by Mohammad Sayyah Al-Oun in Qada’a Sabha gave an impression of the historical and cultural values as well as Jordanian hospitality.

On June 2, the delegation moved on to Aqaba, Jordan’s port on the Red Sea. After a reception in the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce, site visits of the local water works and investment projects provided valuable insights. Amongst the projects visited was also the Disi Project, which aims to guarantee the water security of Jordan’s capital Amman. In the desert valley of Wadi Rum the delegation was introduced to water saving strategies.

The Forum strived to familiarize German enterprises that have relevant expertise in water management with the local circumstances in the Arab region. During the three days sustainable solutions for the current challenges in the water sector in light of the refugee crisis were discussed and German-Arab cooperation in the water sector was fostered.

Once again the German-Arab Water Forum has proven that despite existing challenges close international cooperation can contribute to sustainable solutions. Especially German knowledge and technology transfer can contribute to mitigating the situation and help transform an area of confrontation into one of economic cooperation.