The 5th International Dialogue on the World Water Crisis Water and Cooperation: Projects in the Maghreb region will be held 11 December in Alcorcón (Madrid), Spain. The dialogue is organized by Green Cross Spain with the support of the Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation and the Alcorcon City Council. This year, the Dialogue will focus on the Maghreb region and access to water for sanitation purposes.
The Maghreb is an important geographical area located in the Mediterranean region. It serves as the focus point for several multilateral initiatives such as the Mediterranean Union, which was launched in Paris in 2008 and the Civilization Alliance, which was developed under the auspices of the United Nations in 2006. Likewise, the Spanish Cooperation Plan for 2009-2012 declares the Maghreb region as a geographical priority region.
In this region, problems related to access to water and sanitation determines the social and economical development of the local population. Furthermore, water is also linked to other social issues such as the fight against poverty, food security, infectious illness and access to education.
In this sense, the link between sustainability and global security should be taken into consideration when deciding solidarity and cooperation policies. As such, sustainable water management, as with other environmental aspects, needs to be based on this principle of security. Therefore, the appropriate ecological and social technologies should be adopted in each region that adapt to that location as well as the current human and ecological conditions.
Due to its climate and insufficient water management, the Maghreb region has historically suffered from water “stress” that has led to a lack of access to water for basic needs. The water situation is only forecast to get worse due to climate change affecting the already irregular rain amounts.
There are currently several initiatives and projects in the Maghreb by various organisations and administrations to rationalise the water use, transfer adequate technologies and train local people. Therefore, the Dialogue seeks to analyze the general situation in the Maghreb and provide concrete models and solutions to the growing water problems.
The Maghreb is an important geographical area located in the Mediterranean region. It serves as the focus point for several multilateral initiatives such as the Mediterranean Union, which was launched in Paris in 2008 and the Civilization Alliance, which was developed under the auspices of the United Nations in 2006. Likewise, the Spanish Cooperation Plan for 2009-2012 declares the Maghreb region as a geographical priority region.
In this region, problems related to access to water and sanitation determines the social and economical development of the local population. Furthermore, water is also linked to other social issues such as the fight against poverty, food security, infectious illness and access to education.
In this sense, the link between sustainability and global security should be taken into consideration when deciding solidarity and cooperation policies. As such, sustainable water management, as with other environmental aspects, needs to be based on this principle of security. Therefore, the appropriate ecological and social technologies should be adopted in each region that adapt to that location as well as the current human and ecological conditions.
Due to its climate and insufficient water management, the Maghreb region has historically suffered from water “stress” that has led to a lack of access to water for basic needs. The water situation is only forecast to get worse due to climate change affecting the already irregular rain amounts.
There are currently several initiatives and projects in the Maghreb by various organisations and administrations to rationalise the water use, transfer adequate technologies and train local people. Therefore, the Dialogue seeks to analyze the general situation in the Maghreb and provide concrete models and solutions to the growing water problems.
For further information please visit the Dialogue website or Green Cross Spain’s website.
