Al Murunah Regional Workshop Proceedings

The Al Murunah Regional Workshop, held from March 4–6, 2024, at the Geneva Hotel in Amman, Jordan, convened stakeholders and partners involved in advancing resilient nature-based water solutions (RNBWS). Organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and country implementation partners (CIP) including the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) in Egypt, and the Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG) in the occupied Palestine territories , the workshop served as a pivotal moment in advancing collaborative efforts toward sustainable water management practices in the region. The objectives of the workshop were multifaceted. They aimed to update partners and stakeholders on project progress, foster a common understanding of RNBWS characteristics, solicit key themes for knowledge exchange, plan for the upcoming Fiscal Year 3 (FY3) activities, and articulate objectives for longer-term peer learning and project outputs from the pilots. Participants included representatives from governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, international agencies, and project teams from the involved countries. Throughout the three-day event, engaging sessions and interactive discussions were conducted, covering topics such as national progress updates, pilot programs, FY3 activities, and thematic areas related to RNBWS implementation. Notably, participants emphasized the importance of hybrid nature-based solutions (NBS) tailored to community needs, documented processes to facilitate replication, institutionalization for systemic change, proactive upscaling strategies, and holistic approaches to address labor intensity and ecosystem dynamics. A key highlight of the workshop was the convergence of project teams and national stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment rooted in inclusivity and equity. The shared enthusiasm for pilot implementation, peer learning, and gender transformation components underscored a collective vision for sustainable water management practices. Importantly, the workshop facilitated the development of a shared understanding of RNBWS among participants, providing a solid foundation for future endeavors.