Muscat: Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmood Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, has underlined the need for efforts to address challenges facing the water sector in GCC states.
During his meeting with the participants of the 9th Gulf Water Conference on Monday evening, the senior Omani Minister said that Oman accorded top priority to water resources development, considering it as the cornerstone of sustainable development.
He stressed the importance of co-operation among all in order to develop this vital resource.
Al Said laid emphasis on activating mechanisms, raising environmental awareness on how to protect water resources against pollution and misuse.
The conference participants were unanimous in their opinion that there was a huge gap between demand and supply of water and the problem needed to be addressed on urgent basis, with a joint effort.
A large number of water experts from more than 25 countries, 300 delegates and 17 companies and agencies are taking part in the conference that ends on Thursday.
“The supply-demand imbalance is aggravated by the lack of water management policies and strategies,” said Professor Waleed K Zubari, Chairman of Conference Scientific Committee, in his address during the Conference at the Muscat Inter-Continental Hotel.
“The situation needs immediate attention because the implications are not only for the future development of these countries, but also for the sustainability of their economic and social achievements,” he cautioned.
He added that escalating water demand due to population increase and agricultural policies caused the supply-demand imbalance.
Zubari also said that all possible water resources were being exploited in the region resulting in huge stress on groundwater resources.
An exhibition titled ‘Water Technology Exhibition’ is also organised on the sidelines of the conference in which 17 companies and agencies have showcased new technologies for water utilities, conservation and desalination.
