UFM Water Agenda : Advancing solutions to water-related challenges

23 July 2020. The UfM Task Forces on Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus and Water-Employment-Migration (WEM) held a joint online meeting on 23 July 2020, which constituted the 4th meeting of the WEFE Task Force, and the 5th meeting of the WEM Task force. The purpose of combining the two TFs’ meetings was to jointly identify priorities of the WEFE Nexus and WEM Work Plans 2020-2022 as well as to provide further guidance on the synergetic actions of the related thematic FPs.

The UfM Co-presidencies, EU DG Environment and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, jointly stated that the region requires cooperation and should build synergies between different programmes. Andrew Murphy, Senior Expert, DG Environment, highlighted that the European Green Deal and the Recovery Plan, supported by the UfM Water Agenda in the Mediterranean, constitutes part of the solution for the region.

Mohammad Al Dwairi from the Ministry of Water & Irrigation of Jordan reminded that the Mediterranean Region lives under constant water pressure, giving the example of Jordan, and stated that cooperation and coordination among different actors is the only way forward.

The UfM Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy Isidro González Afonso, highlighted that the development of the UfM Water Agenda has been showcased as an example of coordinated approach, acknowledging the high level of partners’ engagement, including donors like the Swedish Development Agency SIDA. It is now time to coordinate and cooperate in order to implement the activities under its thematic priorities.