• English
  • Français
  • العربية
Follow us
Union for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfM
  • Who we are
    • Who we are

      The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental institution bringing together the European Union Member States and 15 countries from the Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean to promote dialogue and cooperation.

      Overview   

    • Who we are

      • Member States
      • Meet the team
      • Partners
      • History
    • Key documents

      UfM Annual Report 2019 25 Years
  • What we do
    • Notre action

      The UfM seeks to enhance regional cooperation, dialogue and the implementation of concrete projects and initiatives with tangible impact on our citizens to address three strategic objectives: human development, stability and integration.

      Overview   

    • Human development

      • Economic Development and Employment
      • Higher Education & Research
      • Social & Civil Affairs

      Sustainable development

      • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
      • Transport & Urban Development
      • Energy & Climate Action
    • How we work

      • Political Framework
      • Regional Dialogue Platforms
      • Projects and Initiatives
  • Work with us
    • The UfM Secretariat is the operational platform of the Union for the Mediterranean. The staff of the UfM is made of more than 17 nationalities working in a multicultural environment that fosters cooperation and intercultural communication and exchange.

    • Work with us

      • Vacancies
      • Secondments
      • Internships
      • Procurement
      • Roster of experts
  • Info center
    • Info center

      Find our latest press releases, press invitations, visual identity, key institutional documents, photos and other relevant information


      Download the UfM Visual Identity Guidelines and Logos (zip file)   

    • Info center

      • Media corner
      • News
      • Agenda
      • Publications and key documents
    • UfM in the Media

      10 February 2021, L’Opinion. Interview avec Marisa Farrugia: “15 des 25 pays de la région euro-méditerranéenne présentent les taux les plus élevés de cancer du sein”
      View article
      10 February 2021, Al Rai. اتحاد المتوسط: الحرارة ترتفع 20٪ في المملكة أسرع من المتوسط العالمي – صحيفة الرأي
      View article
      2 February 2021, RNE – Europa Abierta. Economía azul para un Mediterráneo pos-COVID
      View article
      See more
  • Contact

Spain unveils EUR 1 Million financing to the construction of a Desalination Facility for the Gaza Strip

Water & Environment
  • The Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Ángeles Moreno Bau, and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Nasser Kamel, met today to discuss the progress of the Desalination Facility for the Gaza Strip project, with the Palestinian Minister of Water, Mazen Ghunaim, in a virtual meeting.
  • During the meeting, Spain unveils 1 Million euros of financing for the construction of a Desalination Facility for the Gaza Strip
  • The desalination plant will supply drinking water to 2 million Palestinian inhabitants, thereby ensuring a sustainable solution for the chronic and longstanding water shortage and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where over 95% of the water is not drinkable due to the over-pumping of a polluted Coastal Aquifer.
  • UfM Secretary General welcomes Spain’s commitment to the Mediterranean region and to the UfM Secretariat.

Barcelona, ​​25 June 2020. As part of a “virtual trip” to Palestine held this week, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation of Spain, Ángeles Moreno Bau, met online with the UfM Secretary General, Nasser Kamel, and the Palestinian Minister of Water, Mazen Ghoneim. They discussed Spain’s support to the construction of a desalination plant project to supply water to 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. During the call, Spain announced a financial contribution of EUR 1 million to this vital project.

UfM Secretary General Kamel highlighted that: “This flagship project was the first one to be endorsed by the Union for the Mediterranean. Spain’s support takes us a step closer to make it a reality on the ground, improve the living conditions in the Gaza Strip and remove obstacles to economic development and job creation while contributing at the same time to the regeneration and sustainability of the coastal aquifer.”

This landmark operation will be the largest infrastructure project ever built in the Gaza Strip. It consists of three integrated projects: the construction of a 55 million-m3 desalination Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant, a North-South conveyance system and a Non-Revenue Water reduction project, as well as an associated solar power energy plant. The project is now ready for implementation since all significant milestones in all the preparatory stages have been completed, including on governance, completion of the required feasibility studies, as well as solutions for the energy supply and the financial mechanism for donor contributions. With the support of Spain and the rest of international donors, the contract to start the construction works will be awarded this year.

Palestine Minister of Water, Mazen Ghunaim declared that: “The Palestinian government is determined to implement this vital Desalination Facility in Gaza, following the outstanding support of the UfM and the Spanish government, in order to provide people with hopes and basic needs. The provision of safe water for all is essential to protect human health.”  

The availability of fresh water in the Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places in the planet, is among the lowest in the world. Currently, 2 million Palestinians in Gaza rely almost exclusively on the coastal aquifer as the only source of freshwater in the region, which is inadequate to meet demand from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Only 3% of the water pumped from the aquifer and consumed by an ever-increasing population complies with the World Health Organization drinking water quality standards.

In addition to the project’s endowment, and coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, Spain announced a contribution of 500,000 euros to the Union for the Mediterranean. “The UfM welcomes this financial support that speaks of Spain’s strong commitment to the Mediterranean region and it’s ambition to drive positive agendas in key ‎areas of cooperation, in view of promoting human and sustainable development” declared the UfM Secretary General.

More information

  • Donor Conference kicks-off implementation of desalination plant project to supply water to 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
  • Information on the desalination plant project in Gaza
  • AECID and UfM sign a collaboration agreement
  • 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process
Share this:

Latest news

UfM Secretary General participation at EPLO Blue Economy Forum
02 / 03 / 2021
International Women’s Day 2021: Mediterranean experts to discuss how to promote gender equality in leadership across the region
02 / 03 / 2021
See more

Agenda

International Women Day 2021: Women in Leadership, towards an equal region in a COVID-19 world
08 / 03 / 2021
Workshop: Natural cooling, an indispensable element of future-oriented housing policies and projects in hot climates
22 / 03 / 2021
See more

Who we are

  • Member States
  • Meet the team
  • Partners
  • History

What we do

  • Economic Development & Employment
  • Higher Education & Research
  • Social & Civil Affairs
  • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
  • Transport & Urban Development
  • Energy & Climate Action

How we work

  • Political Framework
  • Regional Dialogue Platforms
  • Projects and Initiatives

Work with us

  • Vacancies
  • Secondments
  • Internships
  • Procurement
  • Roster of experts

Info centre

  • Media corner
  • News
  • Agenda
  • Publications and key documents
  • Photo gallery
  • Video gallery
Co-funded by the European Union
  • Who we are
    • Member States
    • Meet the team
    • Partners
    • History
  • What we do
    • Economic Development and Employment
    • Higher Education & Research
    • Social & Civil Affairs
    • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
    • Transport & Urban Development
    • Energy & Climate Action
  • How we work
    • Political Framework
    • Regional Dialogue Platforms
    • Projects and Initiatives
  • Work with us
    • Vacancies
    • Secondments
    • Internships
    • Procurement
    • Roster of experts
  • Info centre
    • Media center
    • News
    • Agenda
    • Publications and key documents
  • Contact
  • Social media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Linkedin
    • Flickr
  • English
  • Français
  • العربية
  • English
  • Français
  • العربية
Union for the Mediterranean – UfM
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Megamenu – Latest Ufm in the news - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in Megamenu – Latest Ufm in the news - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Content template for Posts - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Content template for Posts - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in NewsRoom – Related News (Sidebar) - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in NewsRoom – Related News (Sidebar) - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Necessary Always Enabled