COMSTECH- Consultative Meeting - OIC Summit on Science and Technology, Islamabad ( 1– 2 December 2014) Potential Fields of Collaborative Water Research in OIC Countries By Muhammad Saidam, PhDNart Hameed Chief Science OfficerScience Diplomacy Specialist

Aim of presentation  Share RSS experience in water research  Present a view on Threats & opportunities  Topical issues for collaborative research  Propose a way forward for cooperation among OIC countries in water research 2

From RSS Fact Sheet RSS is the largest applied research institution, consultancy, & technical support service provider in Jordan. Is a forty years old NGO, self-sustaining - financially independent. Has over 25 specialized locally & internationally accredited labs. –Water quality and device efficiency – food – construction materials, electrical devices - calibration …Conduct about 30,000 tests annually. Has more than 500, technical staff, highly skilled management, support staff and faculty. Area of RSS campus is 340,000 squared meters. PSUT was borne out of RSS 3 PhD (6%) MSc (23%) BSc (71%)

4 RSS Strategic Direction for water research Steering research towards problem-solving –to improve efficiency in utilizing water resources –through introducing and adapting new technologies Provision of scientific-based results to enable developing more rational policies and adapted technologies Putting scientific knowledge at the service of society and the development process Success of water research requires – a systematic, multi-disciplinary & inclusive approach, –building partnerships with governmental institutes, private sector, and communities

RSS philosophy … Research not only ‘water for life” but also:  for development  peace & security  poverty alleviation  quality of life Despite the political realities;  cooperation remains inevitable –To meet the water scarcity challenges »inaction should not be an option 5

Why collaborative research … 1.Better value for money spent on R&D  through knowledge sharing and exchange 2.Coordinating / optimizing water use in agricultural production  the virtual water – trading concept 3.To tackle shared water problems  climate change: “regional modeling”, adaptation & mitigation measures 4.Improves funding chances 6

Threats … to mention a few  With water getting increasingly scarcer  Structural changes in water allocations / priorities  Less water allocated for agriculture  Socio-economic repercussions  Higher prices for water and food  More food imports  Possible negative implications e.g. GM crops & foods  Economic implications …vulnerable communities  More water reuse and tapping unconventional resources  Public health implications  Again higher costs e.g. desalination 7

Response …. can be common to all From a political perspective  Political will  Commitment by allocating resources In as far as the scientific community  Applied research to increase Resilience  Not only technological  But also socio-economic 8

Opportunities … created by threats Faced by common challenges  Can / should create alliances to solve common problems  e.g. Energy – Water - Food  Promoting peace and security  Countries cooperating on solving water problems are less likely to go to war 9

10 Resource efficiency Water Quality Protection: Monitoring systems, Assessment techniques, pollution prevention, Treatment technologies, Health impact Efficient use of available water; Conservation, Water Reuse Data Management & modeling of water Systems in Support of policy making Quality Assurance Certification of water equipment & materials Green Innovations Wastewater disposal, treatment & reuse at various scales Innovative designs of water & sanitation systems for green buildings, Adaptation to Climate Change, Water-energy integrated designs Science to Society Outreach, Drivers of Change, socio- economic components will be embedded in pertinent projects RSS Water Research Agenda (2012 – 2015)

Areas of experience in Water & Environment 1)Real-time water quality monitoring system (RTMS) 2)Assessment of water and wastewater quality 3)Bio-solids treatment, management and reuse 4)Community-based environmental studies 5)Wastewater and grey water management, treatment and reuse 6)Utilizing social marketing tools to foster proper behaviors to enhance water and energy use efficiency. 7)Assessment of air quality (Ambient air, point sources, vehicular sources, working area) & on-line air quality (AQ) monitoring 8)Hazardous materials management systems 9)Cleaner production (CP): Member of UNEP and UNIDO RECP global network 10)Environmental audit (EA) & Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 11)Climate change studies (inventory, mitigation, adaptation, etc) 11

Potential for Collaboration  Cognizant of the slow progress made in meeting the water challenge in OIC:  A collaborative research program to Devise a Logical Foundation in support of Knowledge-based Decision-making and Investment in the water sector vis-à-vis :  Efficient utilization of available quantities (managing demand )  Conservation and optimization in various water consumption sectors  Augmentation of water quantities (managing the supply)  Desalination, reuse, import / transfer ….  Need a multidisciplinary research team  Water, agricultural engineers & scientists, economists, planners …  Expected Outcome: alternative solutions to tackle water scarcity tailored to local conditions. 12

RSS Science diplomacy initiative Scientists / scientific institutes – policy / decision maker collaboration is weak even at national levels in OIC countries.  One reason why science advancement and collaboration is nearly absent from / has little impact on tackling existential problems like energy, water and food. Scientific results are not being communicated to society and policymakers and little impact is felt The growing global area of Science Diplomacy offers a response to this challenge. As part of promoting the scientific agenda  Building the Capacity of Diplomats in order to equip them with a new set of skills and knowledge in S&T is proposed 13

Promoting Science Diplomacy 1.Promoting the value of science among diplomats  foreign ministries, embassies and Heads of Mission 2.Incorporating science policy training into induction courses and training for foreign ministry staff,  & specialist diplomatic training for dedicated science officers. 3.Encouraging independent scientific bodies to provide science policy briefings for foreign ministry and embassy staff 4.Involving more scientists in foreign ministries to advise at senior and strategic levels 5.Encouraging secondments and pairing between diplomats and scientists. 14

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