More than 150 participants from 24 countries and various sectors from allover the Mediterranean and Europe and all major international and regional bodies dealing with water issues, were present.

H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, in his politically important message delivered by Dr. Mona El-Kady, outlined the National Water Strategy of Egypt which includes a number of measures for integrated water resource management, water valuing and efforts for greater transparency for subsidies and accountability, broader participation of users, more effective coordination with other sectors and services, and improvements in governance. In his message, he stressed the fact that dealing with economic water issues is country specific and depends on a number of social, cultural and political circumstances.

H.E. Dr. Mamdouh Riad, Minister of State for the Environment, in addressing the participants emphasized the innovative approaches applied by Egypt in using treated waste water to create green zones of trees around Ismaillaya and other cities. He also announced that 2002 will be the Year of Environmental NGOs in Egypt, stressing his commitment to work closely with this key sector.

Mr. Omar Abdel Akher, President of the General Federation of Egyptian NGOs and Foundations stressed the fact that Peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development

In welcoming the participants, Dr. Kamal Sabet, Director General of CEDARE, emphasized the need for enhancing water governance, ensuring effective flow of information, promote river-basin management and building the gap between the rich and the poor. The Chairman of RAED, Dr. Emad Adly, outlined the existing schemes for participation of NGOs and other stakeholders in water governance. Prof. Michael Scoullos, Chairman of MIO-ECSDE, explained the ways in which poverty is linked with water resources and emphasized the need to step out of the poverty trap by addressing three clusters of water issues:(a) water to secure survival of the poor, (b) water and health and (c) vulnerability of the poor due to water related natural disasters (eg. flood, droughts).

The Director General of EPE, Mr. Raymond van Ermen, suggested the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Forum on Water and Sustainable Development, while Ms. Nighisty Ghezae, Network Officer, GWP, pointed out that the main constraint to sustainable water resources management is that of water governance. GWP, GWP-Med and their partners are committed to address this issue, with focus on the policies of water, through a 'Dialogue on Effective Water Governance'. This Dialogue will build on political roundtables of ministers, parliamentarians, mayors and other political figures, supported by solid analyses, discussion and concrete cases of practical tools of IWRM. The GWP ToolBox, an instrument to contribute in disseminating good experience on integrated water resources management from all around the world, was demonstrated.

The representative of the Commission of the European Union, Mr. Pierre Strosser, presented the rational, principles and implications of the EU Water Framework Directive in the water policies of the region. Mr. Lucien Chabason, Coordinator of MAP/UNEP, reviewed the role of the Barcelona Convention and MCSD in promoting participation schemes and innovative governance in the Mediterranean.

The representatives of UNESCO, UNDP, UMA, the World Water Council, ICLEI and the Secretariat of the World Water Forum III (Kyoto 2003) presented a number of programmes and actions in place to address the issues of poverty and governance in relation to water. Furthermore, a number of very interesting case studies were presented from Algeria, Egypt, France, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco.

The issue of the 'right to clean water' was repeatedly raised in the discussion as a fundamental human right. The access to reliable water information and data; the need to demonstrate solidarity between North-South and South-South of the Mediterranean region but also between the various sectors of the society, the gender issue in water management and the national and cultural specifities as important elements in designing efficient water policies to address governance and poverty were thoroughly discussed.

In conclusion, the meetings transmitted the message that, despite difficulties, the Mediterranean could offer a valuable example of common regional effort to obtain a workable water governance scheme able to address key issues such as poverty and water scarcity. Better

The Workshops are organised under the auspices of the Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources and the Minister of State for the Environment, by GWP-Med, European Rio+10 Coalition, MIO-ECSDE, CEDARE and RAED, with the support of GWP, European Union DG ENV and MAP/UNEP. The Secretariat support was secured by the Athens based NGO Federation, MIO-ECSDE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION : Dr. Emad Adly, RAED, Tel. 3041634, Dr. Ahmad Wagdy, CEDARE, Tel. 4513921