Arab states to discuss water cooperation in Kuwait conference

KUWAIT CITY, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait will host the Arab Water Conference on May 2-3, a senior Kuwaiti official said on Sunday.

Kuwait has always been eager to promote and consolidate water cooperation among the Arab countries, mainly Gulf states, said Mohammad Bushehri, Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity and Water, at a news conference held Sunday in Kuwait.

There are serious steps on the part of Gulf countries to launch water connectivity, including relevant regulatory resolutions, he said.

He added that "we are now in the process of launching the first stage of water connectivity, chiefly on the bilateral basis."

Inter-Gulf water linkage is primarily meant to diversify water sources, including the Red Sea, given that Gulf countries often hinge upon Arabian Gulf water desalination, he noted.

The conference will draw delegations from 22 Arab countries, together with nine UN agencies with focus on water, climate, food and energy, he said. Enditem