Meeting in Valletta, Malta, on Thursday 27 April, the ministers responsible for water in the member states of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) agreed to develop a "UfM Water Agenda to further enhance regional cooperation on water" in the Mediterranean.
The meeting was co-chaired by European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella and Jordan's Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazim El-Naser.
Underlining that the Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity and that climate change exacerbates the pressure on existing water resources in the region, the ministers noted the duty to develop a concrete agenda for the implementation of "sustainable and integrated water management policies" contributing to "a sustainable livelihood for the region’s citizens". They reiterated "the importance of the Paris agreement [COP 21]" and reaffirmed their commitment to "the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development".
The UfM Water Agenda is expected to lead to "a consensual regional water policy framework" that offers a means for "substantial and measurable positive impact towards sustainable livelihood in the region". It will also help "to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and targets", as well as address "the adverse effects of climate change in the region".
A water expert working group (WEG) has been set up and its work programme is "to provide a suite of recommendations, proposals and initiatives" and to ensure "better coordination with other sectors". A financial strategy will be drawn up to support the implementation of the UfM Water Agenda.
In their declaration, the ministers say that "access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental human right, key to sustainable social and economic development". The declaration includes "a vision for a regional work programme on integrated water resources management", Vella stated. El-Naser underlined "technology and knowledge transfer, innovation and regional solutions", and supported the idea of "promoting regional cooperation for development of regional water projects to utilise economies of scale", including the Dead Sea canal project. (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)