WASAG
WASAG (the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture) is a partnership hosted by FAO, launched in 2016 at COP 22 to catalyse international cooperation on water scarcity in agriculture. WASAG brings together key players across the globe and from different sectors to tackle the collective challenge of using water better in agriculture to ensure food security for all. Hosted by the Land and Water Division of the FAO, WASAG unites diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, United Nations (UN) bodies, research institutions, universities, advocacy groups, civil society organizations, companies, and other institutions.
WASAG fosters collaboration among its partners for the development and deployment of policies, strategies, and programmes, enhancing field capacity for the adaptation of agriculture to water scarcity. A primary objective of WASAG is to support countries and stakeholders in their commitments and plans related to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with particular emphasis on SDG 6 ‘Clean water and Sanitation’ and SDG 2 ‘Zero hunger’. WASAG also supports the Paris Climate Agreement (including implementing nationally determined contributions), and other plans and programmes related to agriculture and water.
About the partnership
The partnership with WASAG is in the context of the Saline Water & Food Systems Partnership, which is jointly convened by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP) and the Netherlands Water Partnership. Together with the NFP, the Netherlands Water Partnership particularly contributes to the work of the WASAG Partnership by offering expertise with ongoing initiatives at the water-food interface, particularly the issue of salinisation. NWP also commits to supporting WASAG in WASAG's General Assemblies, Forums, and knowledge-sharing activities. Nicole Hellwig, Project Manager Business Relations, Marketing, Communications & Events of NWP, underscores the significance of this collaboration, stating "Our partnership with WASAG marks a pivotal moment in our global initiative against salinisation, a commitment we unveiled during the UN 2023 Water Conference alongside NFP. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with WASAG and its esteemed partners to cultivate knowledge, craft guidelines, and best practices, to provide innovative responses to water scarcity in agriculture.’ Jean Ruhiza Boroto, senior officer at FAO and WASAG’s team lead echoes this sentiment, affirming, "Through the partnership between WASAG, NWP, and NFP, we extend and deepen the longstanding collaboration between the Netherlands and FAO. We hope to benefit from mutual knowledge sharing on salinity and saline agriculture.”
Through the partnership between WASAG, NWP, and NFP, we extend and deepen the longstanding collaboration between the Netherlands and FAO. We hope to benefit from mutual knowledge sharing on salinity and saline agriculture.
Jean Ruhiza Boroto
Senior Land and Water Officer at FAO