Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a focus of UNEP’s water policy, recognising the need to address this issue in a holistic manner. This is reflected in the close cooperation between UNEP/ROWA , the ESCWA, FAO , UNESCO and WHO in implementing activities relating to water in the region. As such, a number of capacity building workshops have been held, alongside Expert Group Meetings and discussion forums to develop a strategy for the region.

The programme being implemented in the region by the partners follows closely the principles of IWRM, including the development of a training course for use within the region. One of the key focuses of activities, recognising that the region has some of the highest per capita demands of water in the world, is water demand management, addressing a series of activities to raise awareness within government, industrial, agricultural and domestic sectors in the importance of managing water demand in the region