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, PhD Nart HameedChief Science Officer Science 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

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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

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PhD (6%) MSc (23%) BSc (71%)

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RSS Strategic Directionfor 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 developmentpeace & securitypoverty alleviation quality of life

• Despite the political realities;cooperation remains inevitable

– To meet the water scarcity challenges» inaction should not be an option

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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

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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

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Response ….can be common to all

• From a political perspectivePolitical willCommitment by allocating resources

• In as far as the scientific community Applied research to increase

Resilience Not only technologicalBut also socio-economic

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Opportunities … created by threats

• Faced by common challenges Can / should create alliances to solve common

problemse.g. Energy – Water - Food

Promoting peace and securityCountries cooperating on solving water

problems are less likely to go to war

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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 quality3) Bio-solids treatment, management and reuse4) Community-based environmental studies5) Wastewater and grey water management, treatment and reuse6) 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 systems9) Cleaner production (CP): Member of UNEP and UNIDO RECP

global network10)Environmental audit (EA) & Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA)11)Climate change studies (inventory, mitigation, adaptation, etc)

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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.

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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

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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.

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