As an important milestone leading up to the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in May 2024, the 5th Mediterranean Water Forum unfolded in Tunisia from 5th to 7th February 2024. Hosted by the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfMs), with the backing of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, this edition played a pivotal role in shaping the global water community’s agenda and priorities.
The primary objective of the fifth edition was to strengthen cooperation and foster the exchange of knowledge and experience in the water sector, mobilising all stakeholders in the Mediterranean region. This gathering brought together diverse stakeholders and key players within the Mediterranean water community, offering innovative solutions to evolving water needs and addressing global-scale challenges.
The event served as a platform for sharing and consolidating expertise in the water sector, responding to the persistent drought situation in the Mediterranean region. Simultaneously, it provided an opportunity to establish a conducive dialogue environment for the development of an equitable strategy for sustainable water resource management in the Mediterranean, contributing to elevating water as a political priority globally, regionally, and nationally.
EEWRC Prof. Fadi Comair, played a crucial role as a keynote speaker in the Regulation, Right to Water and Water Rights, Conflict Prevention, and Resolution Session. The session featured prominent experts representing international water organisations, including the Stockholm International Water Week (SIWI), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and Blue Peace Middle East. Prof. Comair’s presentation highlighted the technical and institutional processes of the Hydrodiplomacy Partnership Program (HPP) of CyI, emphasising the importance of educational training and capacity building for professionals and researchers in the water sector.
Prof. Comair also actively participated in other forum sessions, such as “Water Mix and New Vision of Demand for 2050” and the “WEFE Nexus (Water/Energy/Food Environment)” Session, where he presented the PRIMA WEFE4MED Project. PROTEAS demo site was showcased as an engineering future tool for NEXUS security. Additionally, Prof. Comair engaged in side events, notably the “Gender Dynamics” and the “WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean” session.
This forum served as a significant platform for advancing hydro-diplomacy, bringing together expertise, innovations, and collaborative efforts to address the complex water challenges faced by the Mediterranean region.
Source: The Cyprus Institute | News (https://shorturl.at/anNRZ)