Irrigation minister inaugurates 3rd Mediterranean Water Forum

CAIRO - 23 January 2018: Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati inaugurated the third Mediterranean Water Forum Tuesday to discuss priorities of the Mediterranean region.

The event is organized by Egypt's National Water Research Center (NWRC) in cooperation with the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

The forum is being held within the framework of the Mediterranean preparatory process for the 8th World Water Forum which will be hosted by Brasilia from 18 to 23 March 2018.

Initiated in 2011 in Marrakech, the Mediterranean Water Forum, efficient platform for dialogue and exchange between all stakeholders in the region, aims to strengthen the cooperation and knowledge and experience exchange in water field.

Discussions and debates during the 3rd regional water forum will cover priority topics linked with the Thematic Framework of the 8th World Water Forum: Climate : Water and climate change mitigation; People : Integrated sanitation for all; Development : Water/Energy/Food/Ecosystems Nexus; Urban : Treatment and reuse technologies; Ecosystems : Managing and restoring for water services and biodiversity; and Finance : Finance for sustainable development.

Five sessions will be held on the sidelines of the forum to discuss: Cooperation with African countries; Challenges facing the water sector in Mediterranean and Arab countries; Ways to cope with climate change in the Delta region; Effects of dams on small societies and Water morals and water media issues.

The forum will be a good chance to exchange expertise and enhance cooperation among those who manage water resources in Mediterranean, Arab and African countries with the aim to improve the quality of life and achieve sustainable development.

A regional exhibition presenting the Mediterranean experience on water field and side events will be organized with the scope of the 3rd Mediterranean Water Forum.