November 30, 2001
Delft, The Netherlands The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), Birzeit University (BZU) and IHE-Delft signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening human capacity to deliver water education and training for better service delivery in Palestine. The signing was witnessed by 120 international water sector professionals from 40 countries, at the 3rd International "Water Sector Capacity Building" Symposium organised by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations University, World Bank and the International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE). Water scarcity, salinisation of groundwater resources, lacking and damaged infrastructure, are challenges for the PWA and other sector organisations in their effort to meet the water demand of Palestinian users. In their desire to overcome these restraints, to safeguard water supply to users and to help secure the future of water resources in Palestine, PWA and BZU initiated their wish to sign an MoU with IHE, the UNESCO Institute for Water Education. The MoU was signed by Mr. F. Kawash, Deputy Director of PWA, Mr. M. Barakat, Director of BZU's Institute of Water Studies, signing on behalf of BZU President Dr. Hanna Nasir, and IHE Rector Prof. Dr. W. van Vierssen. In three concerted addresses, Kawash, Barahkhat and Van Vierssen agreed to promote their professional solidarity by obtaining moral and financial support from respective national governments and the international community. PWA is the governmental regulator of Palestine's water sector with the mission to secure the sustainable development of water resources through efficient and equitable water management. BZU's Institute of Water Studies is an outcome of a longstanding 8-year (1993-2001) co-operation in "Water Sector Capacity Building in Palestine" with IHE, funded by the Netherlands Government and the European Union. PWA, BZU and IHE have shared and will continue to strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership through direct co-operation in the technical fields of water and environment, through joint development and exchange of staff, training programmes, short courses and research, in order to widen the scope of impact needed towards solving crucial water problems in Palestine and neighbouring countries.
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