The Decision Makers Workshop, organised by the LDEM (Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management) department of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), brought together a total of 13 experts and decision makers to discuss possible amendments to local regulations and urban planning tools. The aim of the workshop, organised under the EU-funded NAWAMED project, was to promote the use of non-conventional water resources (NCWR) and to foster a more sustainable future.

The workshop consisted of moderated roundtable debates and was attended by experts and decision-makers from both the private and public sectors. It focused on various aspects of water management and highlighted several key issues such as decentralisation in water management, clarification of roles and responsibilities of different entities, capacity building, municipal regulations, incentives to promote NCW reuse, building regulations for water management, the importance of water accounting and balancing, the role of ministries, inter-agency coordination, urban planning considerations, public engagement and awareness, and the use of multiple water resources. Participants emphasised the need for regulatory frameworks, training programmes and stakeholder cooperation to ensure effective and sustainable water resource management.

By bringing together experts and decision makers, the workshop served as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and initiating collaborative efforts. It provided an opportunity to identify key challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. Overall, the Decision Makers’ workshop played a significant role in raising awareness about the importance of sustainable water resource management and promoting the use of non-conventional water resources.