EMWIS Flash N°61, July-August 2008

EMWIS Flash - July/August 2008 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. For further information: http://www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- with the support of the E.C. It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later)

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In this issue N°61 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash61)
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HEADLINE
1- Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Water, October 29, 2008 (Jordan)
IN BRIEF
2- Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean – Joint Declaration adopted
3- 5th Conference of the Water Directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and Southeastern European Countries
4- 12th EMWIS Steering Committee meeting, 21st July 2008 in Athens (Greece)
5- ANIMA puts forward 25 operational projects for the Mediterranean - Mediterranean Water Observation System
6- IUCN calls for adopting the right methodologies and participatory approaches in IWRM
7- UN-ESCWA High-Level Meeting to Promote Water Supply and Sanitation Policies
8- Israel & Morocco signed with the EC a Memorandum of Understanding on statistical data exchange
9- EMPOWERS side event in Stockholm
10- Groundwater Management in France: visit of a delegation from Morocco and Lebanon
11- Jordan: Water scarcity places economic growth at risk
12- Palestinian Authority, Israel, Jordan: Dead Sea - Red Sea channel project
13- Israel and Emerging Water Markets: The Growing Demand For New Water Technology Systems
14- France: Parlementarian report on dam safety
15- Italy: EIB finances water and wastewater investments in the province of Rome
16- Turkey: EIB lends EUR 135 M for hydro-power project
17- WISE data availability
18- BRIDGE provides thresholds for Water Framework Directive
19- Climate change threatens global food and water supply
20- Water Resource Protection in the Arab World
NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS   
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS
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HEADLINE
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1- Following the proposal of the conference of the water directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and Southeastern European countries, Bled (Slovenia), in December 2007, the Ministerial Conference will be organised under the French Presidency of the European Union and the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" together with Egypt co-Presidency and Jordan who hosts this event. This conference aims to prepare a long-term strategy on water in the region. It will be held in the Dead Sea (Jordan) on 29 October 2008. In order to involve all stakeholders, a day dedicated to civil society will be held on the eve of the ministerial conference (28 October 2008). The official conference website has been launched: http://www.medaquaministerial2008.net/, contributions and comments to the technical background documents can be made online. Further information on EMWIS website.

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ gives a new impulse to the Euromed Partnership (the so-called Barcelona Process). According to the Joint Declaration adopted at the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (13 July), it brings at least three very important improvements: by upgrading the political level of the EU's relationship with its Mediterranean partners; by providing for further co-ownership to our multilateral relations; and by making these relations more concrete and visible through additional regional and sub-regional projects, relevant for the citizens of the region. The Summit, co-chaired by French President and President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, brought together 43 European and Mediterranean States, the Community institutions and the regional organisations. Further information on EMWIS website.

3- The  Water Directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and Southeastern European Countries met on 21 and 22 July 2008, in Athens (Greece) to prepare the special ad hoc Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Water planned in Jordan, on 29 October 2008 and the related civil society event on 28 October. Based on the conclusions of the 4th Conference of the Water Directors (10-11 December 2007, Bled), the Ministerial conference steering group prepared the first draft documents for the Ministerial, i.e. 4 thematic papers (Effective Water Governance, Water and Climate Change Adaptation, Water Financing, Water Demand Management and Efficiency and Non-Conventional Water Resources) and ‘State of Play’ technical papers. These documents are open for comments on the Ministerial conference website. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- A brief meeting of the EMWIS Steering Committee was held in Athens on 21 July 2008 at the occasion of the conference of the water directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and south-eastern European countries.  France formally handed over the Presidency of EMWIS Steering Committee to Italy. Walter MAZZITTI, was nominated new EMWIS Steering Committee President. The renewal of the Steering Committee membership including the vice-Presidency as well as Presidency and vice-Presidency of the Coordination Committee  will took at a later meeting of the Euromed water directors in December 2008 or during the 1st semester 2009. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- The European Commission (EC) has signed two Memorandum of Understanding establishing the basis for a sustainable exchange of data between and the statistical offices respectively of Israel and Morocco, within the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Israel is the first Mediterranean Partner country to sign such a memorandum. The statistical office of the Occupied Palestinian Territory is expected to follow. Negotiations with other Mediterranean Partner Countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt) on similar memoranda are being carried out. Co-operation will focus on the exchange of data for the following priority sectors: Agriculture, Energy, Environment (including water issues), External Trade & Balance of Payments, National Accounts, Social, Transport, and Tourism. Further information on EMWIS website (Morocco - Israel).

9- On Sunday August 17 at 17:15 o’clock the EMPOWERS Thematic Group organises a side event in the World Water Week to launch the EMPOWERS guidelines for improved local water governance. The guidelines are based on work in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine that was carried out in the framework of an EU funded MEDA-Water project by a partnership of international and local organisations. They are part of a set of publications including a story book on local water governance, a guide to process documentation and a summary of the EMPOWERS approach. All publications are available in English and Arabic. The side event will present the main elements of the guidelines and the stories of local people working on improved water governance. There will be opportunity to share experiences and discuss approaches for water governance. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- From 22 to 29 June, a delegation composed from the Litani River Basin Authority (Lebanon), Mohamad Younes and Nabil Amacha, and the Sebou Basin Agency (Morocco), Mustapha Gouaamar and Bouchaid Magrane, met various french experts in the field of groundwater management. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Al Dahabi was in Paris for the inaugural Mediterranean Union summit, where he took the opportunity to highlight the problem of water supply in the Middle East. In an address given on behalf of the King, Dahabi told delegates, "the region's demand for water is rising rapidly in tandem with a growing population and an increasingly dangerous water scarcity". At a meeting held by the Water and Irrigation Ministry (MWRI) shortly before he left for Paris, Prime Minister Dahabi announced that water security was now the government's priority. Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu Saud, said Jordan's water deficit for this summer currently stood at 12.7m cubic metres. Earlier in June, Abu Saud had warned Jordanians to expect shortages this summer, as the nation's reservoirs stood at only 40% of their capacity. The Paris speech was followed the next day by the publication of a report by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government-funded programme designed to aid development in emerging markets. The report concluded that water scarcity placed Jordan's continued economic growth at risk, and that progress on canalisation and conservation was urgently required. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- Coyne and Bellier company, subsidiary of the French group Suez, will study the technical feasibility, the economy and environment of the channel project which will connect the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. Further information on EMWIS website. On the other hand, environmental groups have expressed concern about this channel project. They say not enough research has been done and alternative options have not been checked. Some experts have pointed out that the area is known for seismic activity. The Red-Dead project would take water out of the Red Sea, desalinating some of it for use as drinking water, which would be used for Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians. The rest of the water would go to help save the Dead Sea. Many environmental activists agree that the option of saving the River Jordan, water from which is also siphoned off by Syria, Israel and Jordan for drinking water, has not been explored enough. Others have suggested a Dead-Med canal. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- The worldwide demand for new water technology and management systems is constantly growing, in both developed and developing countries. Companies and university researchers have begun to step up their development and export of efficient wastewater treatment and water supply technologies. One of the leaders in the field is Israel, which recycles 60-65% of its wastewater. Israel boasts the world's largest desalination plant that is based on the highly efficient reverse osmosis method, and has authorized the construction of another large, reverse osmosis desalination plant. The country exported $1 billion in water purification and water management solutions in 2006, a 25% jump over the previous year's figure, according to the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute. At the same time, the country's universities are seeking to develop new water management solutions. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- The Parliamentary Office for evaluating scientific and technological choices adopted on July 2, 2008, the report of Mr Christian KERT, Deputy of the Bouches du Rhone, on how to improve the safety of dams and waterworks . The reporter noted that while large hydroelectric dams create fewer problems than what seemed, the infinite variety of small dams presented real risks. In addition, the policy maintenance of dams is still very heterogeneous and raises many questions. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- The European Investment Bank is lending EUR 200 million to finance water and wastewater investments in the Province of Rome. The project covers investments from ACEA’s 2007-2012 investment programme under its ATO2 concession. ACEA is today the largest Italian water sector operator, with a population served in excess of 8 million. The investment programme under the concession “ATO2 Lazio Centrale – Roma” contributes to ACEA’s compliance with key EU water sector Directives . Further information on EMWIS website.

16- The European Investment Bank, the European Union’s long-term financing arm, is to lend EUR 135 million to support the construction of eight hydroelectric power plants in South East Turkey. The eight plants with an installed capacity of 955 megawatts (MW) are to be built along the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers and comprise of run-the-river weirs as well as reservoir dam structures. Most of the project’s hydro-power plants are expected to become operational in 2011, with the remainder coming on stream in 2012. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- The WISE (Water Information System for Europe) map viewer has been updated for the World Water Day in March 2008 with thematic maps representing the reporting of data by EU Member States under the Water Framework Directive (article 8). The reporting was carried out in late 2007. It was calling for information on the national monitoring programmes and stations for both surface and ground water. Over time, these stations will be used for reporting environmental information under the Water Framework Directive, on State of the Environment as well as support requirements stemming from other Environmental legislation. The maps provide a European overview as well as individual information on each monitoring station based on interactive maps. A second update of the map viewer happened late ay, including the annual state of the Environment data (WISE SoE), as well as 2007 ata on bathing water (BWD) and data collected n urban waste water under the UWWTD in 2007. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) defines chemical status objectives for groundwater and related monitoring obligations but does not yet provide criteria to assess chemical status compliance. Now researchers from EU project BRIDGE (Background Criteria for the Identification of Groundwater Thresholds) have investigated 14 representative bodies of groundwater and developed thresholds that can be used to protect both human health and the environment. The 14 groundwater bodies investigated in BRIDGE were selected to represent as many aquifer types, climate settings and European ecoregions as possible within the project group that included partners from 17 EU countries. The research has shown that developing environmental quality standards for groundwater 'itself' is in its infancy. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- Scientists from all over the world representing some of the most prestigious national academies of science from the developed and developing countries have issued a warning that is making people sit up and take note. Since then, the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reaffirmed that not only is climate change happening, but that anthropogenic warming is influencing many physical and biological systems. Water resources are most vulnerable along with food supplies, health, coastal settlements and some ecosystems, in particular, the arctic, tundra, alpine, and coral reef ecosystems. The most sensitive regions are most likely to include the Arctic, Africa, small islands and the densely populated Asian mega-deltas. In their latest statement, they not only raise attention to the need for adaptation to climate change but also the need for concrete action to be undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They call for governments to agree, by 2009, to a timetable and funding, as well as formulating a coordinated plan for the construction of a significant number of carbon capture and storage demonstration plants. The statement was delivered to the Japanese Government held during the G8 meeting on July 7-9. Further information on EMWIS website.

20- From 2 to 4 June 2008, the regional workshop on "Protecting Drinking Water Sources from Pollution: Policy Options and Practical Solutions" was held under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, Eng. Raed Abu Soud at the Dead Sea in Jordan. The workshop was organised by the regional BGR-ESCWA water project in cooperation with the MWI-BGR project in Jordan, AWARENET, ACWUA, and was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The workshop brought together over 70 participants from competent government authorities, water utilities, academia, NGOs, the private sector and development projects from 12 Arab Countries, namely: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen, including resource people from Germany, Japan, UK and USA. The participants issued the "Dead Sea Statement" on water protection recommendations in condensed form. The "Dead Sea Statement" shall facilitate and support advocacy work by local, national and regional initiatives and projects for water and environmental protection. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS & VACANCIES
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21- Mr. Walter MAZZITTI, was nominated new EMWIS Steering Committee President, during the brief meeting of the EMWIS Steering Committee that was held in Athens on 21 July 2008 at the occasion of the conference of the water directors of the Euro-Mediterranean and south-eastern European countries.  Further information on EMWIS website.

22- Lebanon finally formed a 30-member national unity government last month. Alain Tobourian is the new Energy and Water Minister. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- New Water General Director nominated in Spain: The new general director of Water, Marta Moren, took office on 8th July in a ceremony presided over by the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Maritime Affairs (MARM), Elena Espinosa. Marta Moren was working at the Climate Change and Environmental Risks Unit of the EC. She served as Head of "Relations with the European Commission" Service of the planning and sustainable use of water Unit under the Spanish Ministry of Environment and previously was consultant on issues of transboundary water management in the context of the Water Framework Directive for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Further information on EMWIS website.

24- Appointments and reorganization MEEDDAT (France): On the proposal of Mr. Borloo, State Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Land Use Planning (MEEDDAT), Mrs. Judith JIGUET, chief engineer of Agricultural Engineering, water and forests, has been nomonated on last July 11, director for water and biodiversity in the general direction for development, housing and nature of the MEEDDAT. Further information on EMWIS website.

25- Mr. Marc Reneaume, Deputy General Manager of Veolia Water in charge of France, was appointed President of the Federation of Professional Water Companies (FP2E), on the occasion of the General Assembly of the Federation on July 8, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Global Water Partnership (GWP) is seeking an Executive Secretary. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, the Executive Secretary will be a charismatic and strategic leader who can take the organization forward into its next strategy period with a focus on the contribution of water to social and economic development, and with attention to climate change adaptation in our changing world. The Executive Secretary should have at least 10 years of experience in management at senior level including working experience with major aid agencies/organizations and/or other international organizations. The closing date for applications is 10 August 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- Middle East Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC) looking for a Director: The current Director is moving on after 10 years and we wish to find a successor to start by early 2009. A major new Headquarters facility opened in March 2008, increasing MEDRC’s ability to carry out its mission. The new Director will be a charismatic leader and outstanding manager with highly developed skills in diplomacy, and the ability to understand and communicate about scientific material, without necessarily being a scientist. The closing date for the job will be Monday 1st September 2008 with interviews in Oct – Nov 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

28- SwissRe invites applications for the International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management 2009: The Award worth USD 150 000 is an internationally recognized prize for leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in watershed management, and is granted to one or several projects selected by an international jury. The prize money is open to NGOs, private, scientific and public institutions. As the world’s leading and most diversified global reinsurer, Swiss Re offers financial services products that enable risk taking essential to enterprise and progress. Deadline: 31 May 2009. Further information on EMWIS website

29- Post-Doc, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain: The Aragon I+D Fundation (Spain) offers a permanent research position for a Post-Doc Researcher with previous experience in hydraulics and water resources, namely expertise in one or more of the following topics: 1. Numerical modelling (good knowledge of programming language). 2. Hydraulics. 3. Hydrology. 4. Advanced experimental techniques in fluid dynamics. Application deadline: September 26, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
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PUBLICATIONS
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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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45- LIFE+ new call for proposals to be launched: publication of the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007. With a budget of €2.143 billion (for the period 2007-2013), LIFE+ is a limited but focused funding instrument providing specific support for the development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation, in particular the objectives of the 6th Environment Action Programme and resulting thematic strategies. At least 78% of LIFE+ funding will be for the cofinancing of project action grants, of which at least 50% will be for nature and biodiversity projects (including projects in support of water and marine policies). The new projects will start in January 2009. This second call for proposals for LIFE+ has been published in the Official Journal (2008/C 178/20) on 15 July 2008. For this second LIFE+ call for proposals, the deadline for the submission of proposals to the Member States is 21 November 2008. A total amount of €207,5 million is available for the 2008 call for proposals. Further information on EMWIS website

46- EU-FP7 Call for proposal - ERA-NET / ERA-NET PLUS Call 2008: Call identifier: FP7-ERANET-2008-RTD, Indicative budget: 29,3 M€. This call for Coordination and Support Actions covers a.o. Environment topics (including Climate Change). Deadline for application: August 12, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

47- A Call for expressions of interest (Reference Nr EuropeAid/ 123304/C/SER/TPS) for the "Provision of training on various subjects related to the implementation of projects financed from the EU General Budget in the context of external actions" has been launched by EuropeAid (framework contract). This Call is open until 4 February 2009. The activities for this Call may be related to distance learning, or pedagogical methods such as on-the-job training or case studies. They may also include design, printing and delivery of publications such as brochures, leaflets and reports related to training activities undertaken by EuropeAid. The sub-fields are: Sub-list 1: EC contractual and financial procedures related to the implementation of projects financed from the EC General Budget in the context of external actions. Sub-list 2: Various fields related to cooperation and development. Sub-list 3: Knowledge Management projects. Sub-list 4: Information systems. Further information on EMWIS website.

48- GSDI Small Grants Program Call for proposals: The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association announced its Small Grants Program for the year 2008. The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association is dedicated to international cooperation and collaboration in support of local, national, and international spatial data infrastructure developments that would allow nations to better address social, economic, and environmental issues of pressing importance. Priority will be given to projects in developing nations and countries with economies in transition. Grants can be awarded to SDI coordinating bodies (councils, committees) and GIS user groups, but the GSDI Association asks that one institution take responsibility for receiving/depositing the funds.  Grants will not cover organization overhead expenses. Application deadline of 30 August 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

49- Mitigating Flood Risk in Flooded Areas in the GAP region in Turkey: The global objective of this assignment is to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the 'Mitigating flood risk in flooded areas in the GAP region' project. Closing date: 19 December 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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50- Call for Participation: INSPIRE Annex I data specifications testing. The INSPIRE Consolidation Team has started the organisation of testing data specifications related to Annex I data, which covers coordinate reference systems, geographical grids, geographical names, administrative units, addresses, cadastral parcels, transport networks, hydrography, and protected sites. The Call for Participation published on the INSPIRE web-site invites projects, organisations, companies, consortia, and other interested parties to provide in-kind contribution to the task. It is expected that the testing process provides benefits both for the participants and the larger INSPIRE community. The testing period spans from mid-October 2008 till mid February 2009. Preliminary expression of interest for participation by 1 September to Freddy Fierens (freddy.fierens@jrc.it) is highly appreciated. The formal registration for the testing will be available through the INSPIRE web-site (http://www.ec-gis.org/inspire/) from 15 August and will close on 15 September 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

51- CIWEM Annual Conference 2009 (29-30 April 2009, UK) Call for papers: This conference is organised on an academic model, like the Defra Flood Risk Management conference, where there is a call for papers and speakers will be selected on that basis by the conference organising committee. All the speakers will pay the conference fee and this will be broadly in line with current CIWEM one day events. Submission Deadline: August 15th 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- To promote a common understanding of technical terms related to health and environment issues WHO has created an on-line searchable database with multi-language terminology equivalence, called The Health and Environment Lexicon (The Lexicon). Most terms currently have multi-language equivalents in French, Portuguese, and Spanish with Arabic, Chinese, German, and Russian being added progressively. This is an on-going project which has three phases, listed in order of priority: 1)  translations;  2) definitions; and  3) explanations and examples. The Lexicon is being extended, completed and improved with all three phases being addressed simultaneously for some terms.  Currently over 350 terms have definitions. If you would like to be considered as a potential reviewer or if you have any comments, suggestions or additions, please email to thelexicon@who.int . Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
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ABOUT EMWIS (Priorities, Activities, Objectives, Structure, Funding, Team)
WATER in the EURO-MED PARTNERSHIP (MEDA programme, Key dates, European Neighbourhood Policy)
EMWIS NATIONAL WEBSITES: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Cyprus, Malta, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg
EMWIS WATER MULTILINGUAL THESAURUS (Available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish & Italian)- Water glossaries
WATER PROJECTS DATABASE (MEDA-NIPs, MEDA-Water, LIFE, SMAP, INCO-MED, FP4-FP6, INTERREG, etc)
DOCUMENTATION (EMWIS meetings, Documentary database, Funding for water, Key documents, Water Legislation)
WHO DOES WHAT IN THE WATER SECTOR (By contacts, organisations & information sources)
PARTNERS & SPONSORS (OIEau, CEDEX, SOGESID, EC, INBO, IME, GWP-Med, MED-EUWI, SMAP-RMSU)
MEDA-WATER PROJECTS (ADIRA, EMPOWERS, EMWater, IrWA, ISIIMM, MEDAWARE, MEDROPLAN, MEDWA, Zer0-M)
WATER INITIATIVES (MED-EUWI, WFD, INCO-MED, LIFE, MEDSTAT, SMAP, EXACT, UNEP-MAP, MSSD, HORIZON 2020, Mediterranean Union) & Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism
FORUM ; FAQ ; TOPICS (MedWIP, Water scarcity, groundwater, wastewater reuse, desalination, satellite data, etc)
SEARCH EMWIS WEBSITE
EMWIS SITEMAP
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CONTACT US
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