New steps towards a Mediterranean partnership for climate resilience water project

Brussels, 11 June 2019. The UfM organized on 11 June 2019 its first technical Workshop on Project Preparation for Transformational Climate Resilience Water Projects in the Mediterranean Region for the Green Climate Fund. 

 The Mediterranean countries, both from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Southeastern Europe (SEE), and in accordance to the UfM Water Policy Framework of Action 2030 have requested strengthening capacity of responsible national authorities and entities to access international climate financing instruments and to be assisted preparing climate resilience water projects, including to address challenges in the mainland and the coastal areas.

The activity is part of the Med Water Matchmaker Project ‘Making Water Cooperation Happen in the Mediterranean’ and contributes to the GEF UN Environment/MAP Project on ‘Enhancing regional climate change adaptation in the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Areas’.

Almotaz Abadi, Managing Director of Water at the UfM stressed that the Workshop responds to the needs from MENA and SEE countries and expressed demand for strengthening capacity of Water Ministries as well as the National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Direct Access Entities (DAEs), to prepare climate-resilient water projects that can access GCF financing. The activity is financially supported by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida.

The Workshop bring around the table participant from eleven countries of the UfM member states including Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Jordania, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia- collectively discuss their priority project ideas and had concretely requested to put in place a partnership to assist the country to develop water projects from the Climate resilience portfolios specifically the Med region is the least country benefiting from these portfolios.