Reflecting on Five Insightful UNESCO Water Webinars

Over the course of March and April, the UNESCO Regional Cairo Office for Egypt and Sudan/ Liaison Office with the League of Arab States, organized a sequence of engaging webinars aimed at tackling the significant challenges within Sudan's water sector during an ongoing conflict.

Awareness Raising and Capacity Building (April 24)

The series concluded with a webinar on April 24, attended by over 60 participants from water-related and UN agencies, government, academia, and regional bodies globally, representing both Sudanese and international stakeholders. The discussions emphasized the necessity to develop a clear strategy to address current crises and establish a long-term plan to enhance the water sector's performance in Sudan.

Risk Reduction of Water-Related Disasters (April 17)

The fourth webinar, held on April 17, focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the water sector. Nearly 30 participants, including regional, national, and local DRR practitioners, discussed general DRR concepts, Nile flooding, UNESCO's role in addressing risks, and the evaluation and analysis of water resources in Eastern and Darfur States.

Addressing Water Quality Challenges Amid Conflict (March 30)

On March 30, this session engaged over 40 stakeholders in discussions about strategies to ensure safe drinking water access, the impact of conflict on water resources, and the crucial role of youth in revitalizing the water quality sector.

Strengthening National Capacities for Community-Based Management of Water Facilities (March 26)

On March 26, experts and managers from various sectors convened to discuss community involvement in water resource management, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism development, highlighting the introduction of Community-Based Management of Water Facilities in Sudan.

Supporting Integrated Water Resources Management (March 22)

Coinciding with World Water Day, this webinar on March 22 delved into Integrated Water Resources Management in Sudan. It involved 30 dedicated participants who explored collaborative approaches to address water sector challenges amidst conflict, focusing on the importance of partnerships and capacity building.

The webinar series successfully engaged over 200 participants from diverse sectors, fostering discussions that pave the way for a sustainable future in water management for Sudan. Reflecting on the series, Dr. Wifag Mahmoud noted, "In situations of scarcity, water quality is as important as water quantity," and Eiman Karar emphasized that "Integrated Water Resources Management is not one size fits all; it is not a project, it is a process." These insights highlight the depth of discussion and the critical areas of focus for future endeavors in the region.

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