Under the auspices of Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Planning Ahmed El Magraby, and in the presence of Mr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, Minister of Water resources and Irrigation, UNESCWA and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) are holding a Consultative Meeting entitled “Proposal for Formation of an Arab Water Utilities Network” from 4 to 6 September 2006 at the Conrad Hotel, Cairo, Egypt. This meeting is held in the context of the UNESCWA – GTZ technical cooperation project aiming to improve water supply and sanitation services in the region, in collaboration with leading regional and international partners in this field. Although UNESCWA had to temporarily relocate part of its operations due to the unfortunate and devastating war that has befallen Lebanon, the Commission remains committed and determined to work for regional integration and best serve its member countries, defying obstacles that may ensue from such events in the implementation of its activities. In this context, UNESCWA and GTZ will hold the above consultative meeting in Cairo, originally planned to take place in Beirut, on the same dates to ensure the implementation of its programmed activities in due time. The meeting, which will open at 10:00 pm, Monday 4 September, aims to review the needs and options for the establishment of an Arab Water Utilities Network (AWUN). The AWUN vision is a self-sustainable, strong regional network of Arab water utilities providing benefits to members in improving their service delivery; making efficiency gains through performance benchmarking; developing and meeting modern technical standards; as well as capacity building and improving management of the very large investment programmes in water supply and wastewater throughout the region. AWUN could provide a regional advocacy platform for members to interact effectively not only with each other but also with governments, the private sector, as well as donors and international lending organizations to the mutual benefit of all concerned. A number of international experts, led by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), will present keynote papers on lessons learnt in establishing, managing and sustaining networks and go on to highlight the priority areas and relevant issues that are to form the basis for AWUN. Discussions in plenary sessions and working groups will enable participants to state their national and regional needs and articulate their expectations of AWUN. The discussions will be incorporated in a revised and consolidated background paper that will outline the proposed scope, aim, agenda, activities, financial sustainability and organizational structure of AWUN. Participants are expected to reach a common agenda on the way forward including recommendations on AWUN structure, membership and eligibility criteria, and guidelines for developing a Constitution to be adopted by the members. It is also proposed that a Steering Committee elected from the participants would take the AWUN concept forward, with the support of UNESCWA and GTZ, with a view to holding an inaugural launching meeting in April 2007.