The Arab Countries recognize the importance of water-related issues and the high priority they must give for the sustainable development and management of their scarce water resources. The social welfare and economic growth in this part of the world is strongly linked to water availability and access to basic water services. In this context, the Arab Water Council organizes the Arab Water Forum (AWF) each three years to become the most important inclusive water-related event at the regional level. The objective of the AWF is to mobilize all water stakeholders in the region to identify priorities of water-related issues and define solutions that can successfully address regional and country specific water challenges.

The 1st Arab Water Forum held on 16-19 November 2008 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, concurrently with the 3rd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environment (2008). As it came only four months prior to the 5th World Water Forum, the 1st AWF focused on the progress of the regional preparatory process of the MENA/Arab Countries for which AWC acts as the Regional Coordinator.