The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launches the Aquastat Report 2020 for the Sultanate of Oman

Muscat, 22 March 2021 - 

The World Water Day (WWD) celebrates water and raises awareness on the importance of valuing water and also taking action to tackle the global water crisis.  A core focus of the observance  of the WWD is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.  To commemorate this year’s World Water Day, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Oman and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources ( MAFWR) co-hosted a special event under this year’s theme, “Valuing Water”.

WWD 2021 focuses on how we value water beyond its price which determines how it is managed and shared. 

This event, the first of its kind,  featured the launch of the new Aquastat Report 2020 for the Sultanate of Oman. FAO and MAFWR reviewed, updated and analyzed data related to water resources, water uses and water management from existing databases, national reports, peer-reviewed publications, among other material, to update information for the aqua stat report 2020.

Nora Ourabah Haddad, FAO Representative in Oman said, “The report will contribute to the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 that set out to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, and in particular indicators of target 6.4 on water stress and water use efficiency”

She also added ‘’today is an opportunity to value water beyond its economic value. Water is key to households, food, culture, health, education, the economy and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable wealth.”

HE. Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water resources , the patron of the event highlighted that  ”The Sultanate’s participation in this celebration comes because the country recognizes the importance of water as a major resource for the country’s development that should be preserved and rationalized in its use, development and management.

He added: “these technical meetings are an opportunity for all experts from public, private sectors and civil society to share ideas related to water resources and its challenges and we must include our young students in activities and innovations that show the importance of water and its conservation”

This World Water Day calls on everyone, individuals, societies, institutions and countries to play a role in valuing water through valuing natural water sources and ecosystems, water infrastructure and  water services.