3rd brainstorming virtual session on water, sanitation and COVID-19

19 May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions for the global water supply and sanitation sector with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region, already under pressure face to water scarcity due to climate crisis.

In view of this exceptional situation, the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), platform for exchange and information serving its members and the Mediterranean water community in general, wanted to bring together the main water operators and experts in water and sanitation engineering, to discuss and reflect on ways to ensure continuity of services and on measures to be taken during and after the pandemic.

Under the aegis of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), after holding two fruitful sessions on 8 and 27 April, IME will organise the 3rd brainstorming session on 19 May via videoconference, taking into account the circumstances of containment. This 3rd session will mobilize the experts of IME, who will be able to exchange on their point of view regarding the impact of COVID-19 and will give them the opportunity to give their expert opinion and answer the questions asked by water and sanitation service managers in urban and rural areas, regarding crisis and post-crisis management.

After the introductory speech made by Hachmi Kennou, Executive Director of IME, this 3rd brainstorming session will start with an opening message delivered by Isidro Gonzalez, Deputy Secretary General of the UfM and Alain Meyssonnier, President of Institut Méditerranéen de l’Eau. The synthesis and conclusions will be delivered by Almotaz Abadi, Water Managing Director on Water of the UfM.