UfM Water Agenda: looking for responses to the COVID-19 crisis and challenges in the Mediterranean region

9-10 June 2020. The Mediterranean countries are looking for responses that not only address the impacts of COVID-19 on the water sector, but also tackle long-standing challenges in the region, including access to water supply and sanitation services for their populations. With more than 250 million inhabitants by 2040, the Mediterranean coast will experience an increase in water stress. As a response to this issue, a consultation meeting was organised by the UfM, bringing together more than 100 participants from 21 different countries and representing more than 30 regional expert organisations. The meeting counted on the participation of the Minister for Energy and Water Management of Malta, Michael Farrugia; the First Undersecretary at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt, Ragab Abdel Azim; and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel.

UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel highlighted: “this pandemic provides us with an opportunity to build better actions with tangible results for our citizens and our environment. Through the implementation of the UfM Water Agenda we aim to ensure a sustainable water supply not only for domestic water use but also for energy production, irrigation and environmental protection”.e