The Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza has participated in a session of the Mediterranean Water Forum on bridging water capacity gaps
Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, participated in a side event at the 5th Mediterranean Water Forum held on February 5-7, 2024 in Tunisia. The forum was organised by the government of Tunisia, the Mediterranean Water Institute and Union for the Mediterranean under the heading “Together for Shared Water Sobriety” underlining the need to undertake joint efforts in effective water management in times of scarcity.
Compés took part in this event in a session organised by the General Directorate for Water of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges (MITECO) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. The forum took place under the heading "Bridging Water Capacity Gaps in the Mediterranean" and addressed various regional and global water-capacity development initiatives to face water challenges.
Within this framework, Compés provided the example of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s International Master programme on sustainable water management and governance in natural and agricultural environments as a capacity-building tool and spoke of their advanced courses, addressing cutting-edge and high-impact topics as life-long learning tools for professionals. CIHEAM Zaragoza’s training offer responds to the needs of the region, in line with Spain’s international cooperation priorities.
During his stay in Tunisia, the Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza met with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Maritime Fisheries - Ridha Gabouj, and the Director of the Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education (IRESA) - Hichem Ben Salen, who is also a former student of CIHEAM Zaragoza.
During the meeting, they analysed the country’s needs in terms of sustainable agrifood development and agreed on the interest of developing capacity-building projects in Tunisia.
WATER-RELATED CHALLENGES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Water scarcity and quality, increasing droughts and floods, agricultural production and food security, and access to clean and affordable energy are just some of the challenges facing the Mediterranean region. Moreover, these issues are expected to become even more challenging in the coming years due to the impacts of climate change and other factors, such as population growth and urbanisation.
The Mediterranean Water Forum has offered a genuine platform for exchanging and consolidating know-how and experience in the water sector, providing innovative solutions and responses to these challenges. The forum is a key stage in the Mediterranean preparatory process for the 10th World Water Forum to be held in Bali, Indonesia,18 to 24 May 2024.
- Side Event: "Bridging Water Capacity Gaps in the Mediterranean"
- Round Table: "Means and Tools for Capacity Building and Development". Discussion focused on various regional and global water-capacity development initiatives, actions and opportunities
- Presentation by the Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza: "Providing water capacity building and capacity development opportunities for the Mediterranean"
