Within the framework of the Regional Initiative for the Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is organizing the Expert Group Meeting on Regional Cooperation for Climate Change Impact Assessment on Water Resources in the Arab Region, from 5 to 6 July 2012 at the United Nations House in Beirut, Lebanon. The EGM is organized in cooperation with the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP/ROWA) as part of the Regional Initiative. This is the fourth meeting following three expert meetings that were convened in Beirut to formalize the structure and methodological approach for implementing the Regional Initiative.

The purpose of this EGM is to review the progress achieved on the Regional Initiative and to discuss approaches for moving forward with the integrated socio-economic vulnerability assessment. It will gather representatives from water ministries from Arab member states, as well as regional and international organizations engaged in climate change as it relates to the water sector.