This message is a contribution to the Mediterranean input to the 5th World Water Forum.
It
presents the outcomes of the 2nd Beirut Water Week and the debates
concerning the Mediterranean Session of the 5th World Water Forum. The
2nd Beirut Water Week that was held in Beirut 4-7 February
2009, included 240 participants from different organisations and sectors
(directors, experts, researchers and other related stakeholders) of
water management in the region.
.
As agreed in Tunis (15 January
2009), the overall Mediterranean Message, in addition to being an input
to the strategic axes of the Ministerial Declaration of the 5th World
Water Forum, addresses also the governments and stakeholders of the
countries of the Union for the Mediterranean as a contribution for
building a shared vision on the future of water in the region.
The
participants of the Beirut Water Week acknowledge and agree with the
Tunis Input (15 January 2009), which they wish to adopt in its
totality. Therefore, the present message is using the language of the
Tunis input to which it has added, elaborated upon and strengthened a
number of points.
The Mediterranean approaches the Forum with
renewed political commitment for sustainable water management through
the recently adopted Ministerial Declaration at the Euro-Mediterranean
Ministerial Conference on Water, 22 December 2008, at the Dead Sea,
Jordan. The Ministerial Conference decided to elaborate a new Strategy
for Water in the Mediterranean consolidating and using already existing
relevant initiatives and to implement concrete projects in line with
the demand of the populations. It is hoped that the Strategy will
enhance cooperation and coordination on water among countries and
between stakeholders, enact needed reforms and promote tangible
measures.
Several recommendations were produced during
interactive sessions involving all participants. These recommendations
would constitute strong basis for the preparation of the Strategy and
the identification of concrete projects.