The Energy and Water Agency hosting the drafting group of the Ministerial Declaration on Water in the Mediterranean
Malta is once again at the forefront in the discussions to safeguard the water sector in the Mediterranean, which is facing various challenges such as water management and water security.
Speaking at the meeting of the UfM’s regional platform on water which is meeting in Malta to draft the text of the Ministerial Declaration on Water in the Mediterranean, organised by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and hosted locally by the Energy and Water Agency, the Minister for the Environment and Energy Minister Dalli provided direction to include tangible measures that leave benefits in the Mediterranean region through the creation of initiatives such as a UfM Project Development Facility and a Mediterranean Water Academy.
These initiatives are designed to speed up the development of vital water projects and equip local communities with the knowledge, technology, and financial resources they need to tackle water scarcity.
This Ministerial Declaration comes after the first Ministerial Declaration, also referred to as the Valletta Declaration launched in Malta in 2017 during the UfM Ministerial Meeting on Water which formed part of Malta’s EU Presidency programme.
The Declaration will highlight the UfM Water Agenda and its four pillars – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Nexus, Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems Nexus, Water and Climate Change Nexus, and Water, Employment and Migration Nexus, emphasising that an integrated approach can balance rising demand for water while protecting community health and the environment. It will also outline the need for increased capacity building initiatives and sharing of experiences; as well as coordination in the development of projects to ensure the better integration of projects in the WEFE nexus.
Minister Dalli emphasised Malta’s successes in desalination and wastewater treatment, as well as the effective use of green bonds; innovations that could reduce water bills for households, boost food production for local markets, and reinforce public health standards across the region.
“With collaboration and innovation, we can lay a foundation for a more resilient Mediterranean, offering secure and affordable water for everyone,” the Minister said. “This is about improving daily life: ensuring that families have reliable water, that farmers can maintain their livelihoods, and that businesses can grow sustainably.”
