For the first time in Africa and the Middle East, governments, companies, and NGOs involved in the debate over large dams met to discuss the economic, social, and environmental impacts of dams. The World Commission on Dams held its Africa/Middle East Regional Consultation on dams on 8-9 December 1999 at the Meridien Le Caire Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.

The full report of this consultation is available as a single document in Acrobat PDF format.
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Consultation Programme
with links to full texts of all submissions presented over the two days of the consultation

Selection of Submissions

A call for submissions was sent to a wide range of organisations and networks across the region, providing guidelines on possible themes as well as procedures and deadlines. Over 90 submissions from almost 30 countries were received, all of which were added to the WCD knowledge base.

Criteria were developed for choosing submissions for presentation at the meeting. These included the representative nature of the submission, the expertise of the presenter and the relevance of the topic, amongst others.

• Original call for Submissions: in English, en français, em português
• List of Presenters

Opening Remarks:

Professor Kader Asmal WCD Chair
His Excellency Mahmoud Abu Zeid Minister of Water Resources, Egypt
Professor Klaus Toepfer Executive Director, UNEP

Closing Remarks: Professor Kader Asmal

Proceedings

The two days of the consultation were divided into six sessions with fifteen minutes allowed for each presentation followed by 45 minutes of questions from the Commissioners. Opportunities were provided for everyone to make their case, and all delegates participated.

Summaries of each session are presented below. The views expressed are those of the presenters and not of the Commission.

1: Alternatives in Egypt:

A Country Perspective

2: Affected People:

the Social Impacts of Displacement and Resettlement

3A: Food Security and Livelihoods:

Understanding Benefits and Impacts

3B: Food Security and Livelihoods:

Understanding Benefits and Impacts II

4: Ecosystems:

Assessing and Managing Environmental Impacts

5: Institutional Frameworks:

The Role of Legislation and National Development Policies

6A: Water Resources Management:

Reviewing Alternate Options

6B: Water Resources Management:

Reviewing Alternate Options II

WCD Press Releases Related to the Consultation:

• 10 November 1999 in English, en français, em português
• 25 November 1999 en français, em português
• 8 December 1999 WCD hosts Cairo meeting on Large Dams in Africa/Middle East
• 12 December 1999 WCD Wraps Up Africa/Middle East Meetings