Water and adeguate management strategies were the main topics on the agenda of the

Special Task Force on Integrated Resource Management convened by the

Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

During the two day discussion, held in Cannes on the occasion of the 10th

International Symposium on water, the debate focussed on the need for national

parliaments of the PAM region to prioritise water resource management on their

political agenda and recognise water as a resource of strategic importance. “The water

issue has wide transversal effects that in the future could influence the stability of the

region as a whole”, said Mr Jose Junqueiro from the Portughese parliament, who

chaired the Meeting of the Task Force.

Delegates from participating countries, including Jordan, Libya, Monaco, Morocco,

France, Portugal, Slovenia and Turkey) commented on their respective situations

regarding water issues with Jordan suggesting that there should be policies adopted in

the Mediterranean to ensure complementariness to compensate between countries

that are rich in oil and those with abundant water supplies.

The energetic veteran French MP, Paulette Brisepierre presented a draft report on the

Integrated Management of Resources (Water) in which she reminded that due to

rising consumption and demographic changes, areas in the south and in the east of

the Mediterranean have been suffering for the last 50 years from a water deficit which

could reach a critical level by 2025.

During the debate the Libyan delagate said that the Jamahirija does not have any

demographic problem in terms of increasing population but on the other hand it has

to face the consequences of people relocating and moving into the cities.

A major concern was espressed in relation to the quality of water and ways on how to

avoid its pollution and how to conserve it for proper use.

Finally it was stessed that 25% of consumption could be cut through proper

management and it was unanimously agreed that PAM is expected to take a long term

prespective for water management and therefore at this stage it is imperative to gain

further knowledge of best practices and sustainable energy programmes to improve

sustainable water management in the future

The Meeting was also addressed by Professor Jan Sadlak, Director of UNESCOCEPES,

Prof. Raoul Caruba, Organiser of the Water Symposium in Cannes, and Mr

Pierre Icard from the Blue Plan (UN). PAM Secretary General, Sergio Piazzi

reminded the delegations that the Mediterranean Charter was being drafted by the

Bureau with input provided by all delegations. The Charter will be submitted for

approval at the Plenary Session to be held in Monaco next November.