Regional Meeting on Water in the Mediterranean Basin

The aim of this meeting will be to create a discussion forum where leading experts from countries around the world will discuss water related issues in the Mediterranean Basin with a view to provide a better understanding of the water problems, stimulate scientific discussion and develop policy-relevant approaches and analysis for decision-makers. Results of the Regional Meeting will be conveyed to the 5th World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul on March 2009.

The overall objective of the Regional Meeting is to contribute to the worldwide debate and effort on strengthening the bridge between theory and practice in meeting water related threats/challenges in the Mediterranean Basin.

Within the frame of the overall aim above, main objectives of the Regional Meeting are to:

-Bring together well-known scientists, experts and journalists from countries around the world to discuss water related problems in the Mediterranean Basin from a variety of perspectives,

-Create a discussion forum where emphasis will be made on policy-relevant approaches and ideas in order to provide a better understanding of water related problems by sharing research results, experiences, methods and strategies,

-Foster cooperation for water resources management in the Mediterranean Region,

-Contribute in the enhancement of public awareness of water resources issues and challenges.

The meeting will involve paper/poster presentations followed by workshops and panel discussions. The overall outcome of the 3-day long scientific activity will be eventually conveyed to the 5th World Water Forum.

 P.S. (1) LIST OF TOPICS

1.CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

†Impact of climate change on water resources quantity and quality

†Conservation of ecological diversity in changing climatic conditions

†Influence of growth and migration of population on water demand per capita

2.WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

†Secure access to safe drinking water supplies and sanitation services

†Systems development for water quality monitoring and assessment

†The improvement of water use efficiency in agriculture

3.INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

† The major water related problems in the Mediterranean Region

† Risk mitigation and management of water resources against natural disasters

†Transboundary water resources monitoring, assessment, management and cooperation: lessons and case studies

† Integrated water resources management in coastal areas

4.INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WATER PROBLEMS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

† The importance of water resources education for the public

†Raising water and environmental awareness

† Public and private sector involvement for institutional capacity building

†Enforcement of laws and regulations for the water resources management

P.S. (2) DEADLINES

Submission deadline for the abstracts of papers/posters:............15.08.2008
Notification of acceptance for the abstracts of papers/posters:...20.08.2008
Submission deadline for papers/posters:.......................................20.09.2008
Notification of acceptance of papers/posters:................................30.09.2008
Regional Meeting Dates ...........................................................09-11.10.2008