UfM steps up regional action on valuing water

• As a critical climate change hotspot, the Mediterranean region already has over 180 million people who are considered water poor. With the COVID-19 pandemic, water is more precious than ever before, being a vital element in the sustainable rebuilding of our region.
• The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), the World Bank, the Mediterranean Youth for Water Network (MedYWat) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) are hosting a e-conference for World Water Day, focusing on “Valuing Water”.
• The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has prioritised leading the development of a regional Water Agenda and supported the ENI CBC MED programme with water projects in Italy, Tunisia, Jordan, Malta, Lebanon, Greece, Palestine, and Spain.

18 March 2021. With less than a decade to deliver on the agreed Sustainable Development Goals, an unprecedented effort will be required. UfM Member States agreed to advance solutions to meet water-related socio-economic challenges and promote climate resilience, while also assisting women and youth towards job creation, as described in their regional Water Agenda. As part of the UfM Water Agenda, the UfM is organising a series of workshops to deliver the necessary technical, administrative, and financial advice to help countries achieve water security for their populations and economic activities.

The provision of safe water and sanitation is even more essential for protecting human health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Hand washing in households increased water use from 9 to 12 litters per person per day as a result of the pandemic mitigation measures, which represents an average increase of 5% in the demand for water for domestic use.

UfM Deputy Secretary General Isidro Gonzalez said: “Mediterranean countries across the region are facing challenges to maintain a sustainable and available access to water and sanitation services for their populations. The Union for the Mediterranean seeks to highlight the importance of increased regional cooperation to address this common and inevitable challenge.”

Water projects around the Mediterranean

Under this regional push for sustainable water management falls the EU-funded ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme”, supported by the Union for the Mediterranean. The Programme brings together the coastal territories of 14 countries to foster fair, equitable development on both sides of the Mediterranean. For instance:

• NAWAMED is a project in Italy, Tunisia, Jordan, Malta and Lebanon that uses greywater – waste water from sinks, showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers (but not toilets) – or rainwater to flush toilets and for irrigation, with the implementation of decentralised treatment systems.
• AQUACYCLE is a project in Greece, Spain, Malta, Lebanon and Tunisia that aims to introduce innovative wastewater treatment to the Mediterranean region. The process uses solar panels for energy, and produce biogas and fertilizer from the treated effluent, showcasing a prime example of circular economy.

 World Water Day e-conference on Valuing Water Agenda

To mark this day, the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), the World Bank, the Mediterranean Youth for Water Network (MedYWat) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) are hosting the 5th edition of its World Water Day e-conference this year focusing on “Valuing Water”.

MEDIA INVITATION

World Water Day e-conference on Valuing Water Agenda

FULL AGENDA  23 March 2021 at 9:30 CET

The webinar will see the participation of Blanca Moreno-Dodson, Manager, CMI; Isidro Gonzalez Afonso, Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy, UfM; Mr Mazen Ghunaim, Minister-Head of Palestinian Water Authority; Mrs. Charafat Afailal, Morocco Former Secretary of State to the Minister of Water; Mrs. Akiça Bahri, Tunisia Former Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries.

For registration and media interviews please contact: media@ufmsecretariat.org