Time zones: 10:00 - 11:00 AM GST | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EAT | 2:00 AM - 3:00 AM EST

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, home to around 6% of the world's population, has six times less annual average water availability per person than the global average. At the same time, demographic growth, urbanization and climate change will pose increasing risks in terms of water quality and quantity in cities, in both developed and developing countries.

At the inaugural Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, WRI and partners Arup, Resilient Cities Network, and Stockholm International Water Institute, will discuss initiatives that combat water insecurity in the MENA region such as the Urban Water Resilience in Africa Initiative, led by World Resources Institute, and tools like the City Water Resilience Approach, which aim to accelerate water resilience action in the MENA region and beyond. This session will also include a dialogue with city leaders from Musanze, Dire Dawa, and Byblos on accelerating action for urban water resilience.

Speakers

  • Dr Mathias Toll, Desk Officer of Division, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
  • Andrew Rucyahana Mpuhwe, Musanze Vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Rwanda
  • Mohammed Mussie, Dire Dawa Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Manager, Ethiopia
  • Dr. Tania Kallab, Chief Resilience Officer of Byblos, Lebanon
  • Dr. Eman Soliman, Executive Director to Cairo Water Week from the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources
  • Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
  • Fitsum Gelaye, Programs & Engagement, Resilient Cities Network (Moderator)