A unique opportunity to build a regional strategy on water and concrete projects responding to the population’s demands

France, being the President of the European Union Council, and Egypt, are the co-chairs of the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean". The two countries will co-preside together with Jordan, the hosting country, the Ministerial Conference on Water that will take place on the 29th October 2008.

During the Paris Summit on the Mediterranean that was held on the 13th July 2008, several essential issues were identified by the Heads of States and Governments of member countries of this process. Among them, two main priorities regarding water: the combat of pollution in the Mediterranean and the sustainable management of water resources.

This ministerial conference will have a double objective: to set the guidelines of a long-term strategy on water in the Mediterranean, which should be approved by the ministers in 2010 and submitted to the Heads of States during the second summit that will be held in 2010; to announce first concrete projects that are coherent with this strategy in order to mobilise the governance powers of the process and the financial sponsors.

In order to cover all possible issues and to define the most relevant orientations, the topic of water must be dealt with by all the stakeholders (local authorities, companies, NGOs, researchers, etc.). For this reason, the civil society actors are also invited to meet on the 28th October in order to bring an important contribution to this conference.

At the end of the day, many demonstrating projects will be presented. This strategy and its associated projects will highlight two important points: on the one hand, a high political ambition that will help tackling problems beyond the action means of one single country or organisation, especially those linked to climate change and environment needs; on the other hand, two main concerns about the preservation of water quality, and the pressure reduction on water resources by more optimal uses.

For those journalists who are interested in attending, please contact the Press Services and fill in an on-line accreditation. Press Contacts :
On-line accreditation: http://www.medaquaministerial2008.net/registration_press
- Andrea Matusakova - Tel. +962 (0) 77 69 89 774 - Mail: andrea_matusakova@mwi.gov.jo
- Christophe Katsahian - Tel. +962 (0) 64 60 46 44 - Mail: christophe.katsahian@diplomatie.gouv.fr
FRANCE : Marina Louvet - Tel. +33 (0)1 40 81 27 65 - GSM. +33 (0) 6 77 64 62 07
marina.louvet@developpement-durable.gouv.fr
EGYPT : Dr Essam Khalifa - Tel. + 202 35 41 98 71 / + 202 35 44 94 20 - Mail: essam@mwri.gov.eg
JORDAN : Adnan Al Zuobi - Tel. +962 (0) 777 534 549 - Mail: adnan_al-zuobi@mwi.gov.jo