Water is a key natural resource for future development and prosperity as well as stability. On the other hand, water is a scare resource, which is also gaining strategic significance. Existing water shortages due to inadequate development, competing demands and water quality degradation will be exacerbated. The number of people in countries where water is scare will increase sevenfold only in the next 25 years. This situation is critical and needs immediate actions from all of us in the business of water management.

As a member of the ICID family, I would like to mention that WATSAVE has contributed to the dissemination of information and practices related to water saving and conservation worldwide. The publication “WATSAVE Scenarios” is popular and is in demand from many agencies. The group and on yearly basis gives award that present best practices and prompting water saving activities. Actually, the promotion of ICID’s WATSAVE Awards was one of the items listed under the strategy for action adopted by ICID to be initiated after the 2^nd World Water Forum, The Hague, The Netherlands in 2000. WATSAVE has contributed to the dissemination of information and practices related to water saving and conservation worldwide. At this point, I wish to invite you to the WCA InfoNET, which is an Internet based information and knowledge system on water conservation and use in irrigation.

From my side, It has been my pleasure and honor to join the WATSAVE Work Team (WT-WATS) in addition to my turn responsibilities as a vice-president to the ICID.  At this stage we are attempting to develop a framework of cooperation and interaction among the WATSAVE Working Group (WG-WATS) member countries and the ICID member countries as well. The framework will help disseminate data and information, promote effective training and technology transfer regarding the issues of water saving and conservation.

ICID’s (WT-WATS) is very serious about whole process of the ICID Strategy for Action; we realize that (WT-WATS) has a responsibility toward supporting saving water in a sector using about 70% of water worldwide.

Finally, it is my pleasure to extend a very hearty welcome to all scientists and experts for their valuable contribution and present my best wishes for the (WT-WATS) for successful and fruitful meetings.

Dr. Hussein El-Atfy
Chairman, WG-WATS
Vice President, ICID
WATSAVE Award Winner in 1999