The meeting of the executive committee of Regional Centre for Water Management in Urban Areas was held here yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with the participation of the centre representatives of Iran, International Academy for Water in Norway, Ministry of Education and Federal Research in Germany, hydrological programme at the Unesco and Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources.

During the meeting, new chairman and secretary were elected. Results of previous meeting were discussed. Also discussed were follow-up and report from chairman on the centre’ s previous activities, opening up of a new branch in Europe and report by the representative of hydrological programme in the Unesco. It is worth noting that the Regional Centre for Water Management in Urban Areas was launched by the Unesco with the aim of establishing a base to enhance countries’ capabilities in arid zone, contribute towards setting up of a scientific base in the areas of engineering, water resources and ecological systems management. The centre also contributes in training, qualification and convening of objective seminars aimed at enhancing capabilities of member countries. The centre headquarters is based in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

The Sultanate represented by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, in collaboration with the centre had managed during the past two years to organise a number of programmes.

The international workshop on technical and scientific expertise in water technology and the wastewater on October 2004 and a seminar on public contribution in awareness and exchange of information in development and management of water resources in September 2005 were among the seminars held.