PRIMA is set to play a prominent role in the upcoming Fifth Mediterranean Water Forum scheduled from February 5-7, 2024. Organized in collaboration with the Tunisian Government, the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the forum carries the theme “Together for a Shared Water Sobriety.”
The forum aims to provide a platform for Mediterranean countries and organizations to discuss local needs, identify best practices, and explore innovative technologies for addressing water security challenges in the region. Discussions are expected to revolve around effective responses to ensure water security, considering demographic trends, socio-economic challenges, and the impact of climate change on water management. The PRIMA Secretariat as well as several PRIMA projects will be present at the events organized within the framework of this forum.
The 5th Mediterranean Water Forum will play a crucial role in shaping the agenda and priorities for the global water community as it moves towards the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, from 18th to 24th May 2024.
- 5 February 2024 (14:00-17:30): Second regional roundtable on the WEFE Nexus Approach
First on the agenda is PRIMA’s active participation in the 2nd Regional Roundtable on Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in the Mediterranean. This session, scheduled for February 5, 2024 (14:00-17:30), revolves around shaping a strategy for the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source to Sea continuum. The discussion will build upon the outcomes of the 1st Regional Roundtable held in Rabat, Morocco, in June 2023.
The Mediterranean region faces a cascade of challenges – from climate change impacts to population growth and lifestyle shifts. The need for a comprehensive strategy addressing water, energy, food, and environmental security is paramount. PRIMA, a key player in this dialogue, emphasizes the importance of wise resource use and leveraging emerging opportunities for sustainable solutions.
- Side event: “Transformative Water Resources Management Smart and resilient solutions for climate challenge across the Mediterranean”: A deep dive into transformative water resources management. 5 February (14.00 – 15.30)
During the forum, PRIMA will also participate in the side event, “Transformative Water Resources Management: Smart and Resilient Solutions for Climate Challenges Across the Mediterranean.” This side event is a collaborative effort involving multiple EU projects, including two PRIMA projects—TALANOA Water and Acquaount, joining forces with the Horizon Europe-funded project TRANSCEND.
Together with a series of experts, they will delve into multi-perspective discussions on trade-offs in designing and implementing water-smart solutions, considering environmental and socioeconomic changes.
Get to know the TALANOA project: https://talanoawater.com/
Get to know the ACQUAOUNT project: https://www.acquaount.eu/
5February (11:30 – 13:00): Spotlight on Gender Dynamics and the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean
PRIMA will also contribute to a side event shining a spotlight on Gender Dynamics and the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean. Co-organized by the UfM Secretariat, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med), and the Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR), the event seeks to make a lasting impact and advance gender equality goals within the WEFE Nexus. The side event aims to explore the challenges faced by women and opportunities, emphasizing the imperative for sustainable and integrated resource management. The anticipated outcomes include heightened awareness, improved access for women to resources and technology, the empowerment of women as leaders in diplomatic processes, and the fortification of partnerships supporting women’s empowerment in the WEFE Nexus.
2024: PRIMA takes a further step towards a WEFE NEXUS approach, integrated into all its calls.
These highly significant themes align with PRIMA’s priorities in 2024, as the Program kicked off the year by launching calls for project proposals that incorporate the nexus approach in all calls. The gender dimension is equally crucial, as the proposals are expected to systematically consider and integrate the gender dimension across all aspects of the project.
The 2024 thematic areas include integrated and sustainable water management for arid and semi-arid Mediterranean regions. The water management orientation within the WEFE Nexus encompasses sustainable irrigation practices and inventive water accounting approaches, specifically tailored to tackle challenges like climate change and external shocks.
