Water Policy 5 Number 3 257-268 (2003)

The introduction of water resources management programs in Western Asia

Mey Jurdi, Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak and Shiraz Basma

Corresponding author. Professor, Chairperson of the Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. (Tel: +961 1350000 X4620 7575. E-mail: mjurdi @inco.com.lb)

Professor, Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Head of Water and Natural Resources Section, Economic and Social Commission For Western Asia (ESCWA), PO Box 11-8576, Beirut, Lebanon. (Tel: +961 1981301, fax: +961 1981510. E-mail: mabdulrazzak@hotmail.com)

Candidate in Masters of Environmental Science (Environmental Health), American University of Beirut, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Environmental Health, PO Box 11-0236/1088, Beirut, Lebanon. (E-mail: shb01@aub.edu.lb)

This paper emphasizes the importance of developing and implementing integrated water resource management programs in the Western Asia region. As such, the status of water resources management programs is assessed in reference to the integrative components of water policies and strategies, water legislation and enforcement, water institution framework, and water resource assessment and capacity building. Besides, recommendations relative to the hereby indicated integrative components are proposed where applicable. Development and implementation of an integrated water resources management program is essential for the region to overcome existing programs that are mainly oriented towards demand management and exploitation of groundwater reserves. Such programs would be directed to satisfy national freshwater needs for development and to promote water as an integrated component of social and economic goals as well as ecosystem management.

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