Algeria has highlighted the importance of making water security a top priority for Mediterranean countries. The country's ambassador to Italy, Mohamed Khelifi, led the Algerian delegation to the second ministerial conference of the Union for the Mediterranean on water, held in Rome on September 28, 2026. In his speech, Khelifi emphasized the need for increased efforts and enhanced dialogue and cooperation among Mediterranean countries to address the challenges posed by climate change and rising water demand.
Khelifi stressed the importance of water security as a shared priority for Mediterranean countries, citing the need for rational use of water resources, diversification of sources, and promotion of research and capacity building. He highlighted Algeria's efforts in this regard, including the development of non-traditional water resources and seawater desalination, in line with the policy of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The conference provided a platform for Mediterranean countries to discuss the challenges facing the region, including climate change, rising water demand, and the need for sustainable water management practices. Khelifi's speech underscored Algeria's commitment to addressing these challenges and promoting cooperation among Mediterranean countries.
The Algerian ambassador also touched on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where the destruction of infrastructure and lack of basic services, including water and sanitation, have created dire conditions. He called for support for efforts to rehabilitate damaged water infrastructure and enhance the response to the water needs of the population.
The Union for the Mediterranean is a regional organization that brings together 43 countries from the European and Mediterranean regions to promote cooperation and dialogue on key issues, including water security. The organization's ministerial conference on water aimed to promote a coordinated approach to addressing the region's water challenges.
Algeria's participation in the conference reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and its role as a key player in promoting water security in the Mediterranean. The country's efforts to develop its water resources and promote sustainable water management practices are seen as crucial to addressing the region's water challenges.
The conference concluded with a call for increased cooperation and action to address the region's water challenges, including the need for sustainable water management practices, efficient use of water resources, and promotion of research and capacity building. Algeria's emphasis on water security as a shared priority for Mediterranean countries is seen as a key step towards achieving these goals.
Key points
- Algeria stresses importance of water security in the Mediterranean region
- Need for increased efforts to address climate change and rising water demand
- Algeria promotes cooperation and dialogue among Mediterranean countries to address water challenges
