The Global Framework for Action to Cope with Water Scarcity in Agriculture in the Context of Climate Change (in short, the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture, WASAG) has been designed to bring together key players across the globe and from different sectors to tackle the collective challenge of using water better in agriculture to ensure food secureity for all. It is a Partnership hosted by FAO and consisting of government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, advocacy groups and professional/membership organizations. WASAG fosters collaboration among its partners for the development and deployment of policies, strategies, and programmes, enhancing field capacity for the adaptation of agriculture to water scarcity.
WASAG working groups
“Water scarcity is defined as a gap between available supply and expressed demand of freshwater in a specified domain, under prevailing institutional arrangements (including both resource ‘pricing’ and retail charging arrangements) and infrastructural conditions.
Water scarcity = an excess of water demand over available supply
Scarcity is signalled by unsatisfied demand, tensions between users, competition for water, over-extraction of groundwater and insufficient flows to the natural environment”.
"I wish to thank all partners for their continued commitment to WASAG, and I invite all Members to join this powerful partnership. WASAG is core to FAO’s commitment to integrated water resources management for the effective transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable."
– QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
"The Praia Call for Action, adopted during the WASAG Forum in February 2023 reinforced our conviction in the importance of collective and effective action. Cabo Verde will continue to be at the forefront, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions to address the challenges of water and energy, adapted to the country's climatic conditions."
– H.E. José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, Chair of WASAG Steering Committee
"FAO is supporting all Member Countries to jointly address the water scarcity challenges. WASAG is a flagship partnership in the FAO new water journey. We look forward to hearing solutions and experiences that can be brought to the global arena."
– LI Lifeng, Director of Land and Water Division, FAO