The RICCAR Phase II Consultation took place from 30-31 May in Beirut at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) under the auspices of the Arab Ministerial Water Council through a collaborative partnership involving the 11 partner organizations namely the League of Arab States, Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmBH (GIZ), Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), ESCWA, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Cairo Office, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The aim of the consultation was to conceptualize and formulate the next phase of RICCAR activities, which would draw upon the assessment outcomes, data and policy-relevant analysis conducted during the initial phase of the initiative, as well as associated lessons learned. The meeting discussed proposed pillars of work, expected accomplishments, activities, partnership modalities and operational arrangements.