People living in arid and semi-arid regions in general and in the Middle East in particular are struggling to secure water and make an adequate living. Population growth is making things worse. Climate change aggravates the problem of water supply that required careful and innovative management strategies for the limited water resources in arid regions. As water gets scarcer, risks are growing and livelihoods of pastoral and other communities are at stake.

Jordan is one of the poorest countries in water resources in the world. Management of its water and agricultural resources may represent a real challenge to scientists and managers all over the world. Urban as well as rural floods are being noticed more frequently than before. The flux of refugees demands rapid and long-term solutions to secure additional and nonconventional water resources and requires innovative management strategies. ​

New approaches and policies are urgently needed. All this requires prompt collaborative and integrated efforts by scientists, policymakers, and international development organizations. The conference will bring up local as well as international researchers, senior scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders from all over the world dealing with water resources management in arid lands. Urgent topics of interests will be investigated including how to maximize the water use efficiency including rainwater and flood water that has been observed lately in arid and semi-arid regions. The conference will serve as a wide-ranging forum for exchange of innovative approaches and novel knowledge and experience in water and cropping management, including its scientific, political and socioeconomic dimensions.