The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) successfully organised the 14th Meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Water, held alongside the workshop on the UNECE/WHO Protocol on Water and Health in Mediterranean ‘Increasing Climate Resilience of the Water and Sanitation Sector in the Mediterranean Region’. The event, co-organised by the UNECE and WHO/Europe joint secretariat of the Protocol and the Portuguese Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority (ERSAR), convened key stakeholders, policymakers, and experts from across the Mediterranean and Europe. The primary focus was on innovative solutions for water security, public health, and sustainable water management, while fostering synergies between regional and international frameworks.

The UfM Regional Platform meeting, hosted by the General Secretariat for Environment of the Ministry of Environment of Portugal, took place in Lisbon on 5-6 June 2024. In conjunction with the 14th meeting, the UfM, together with regional partners, launched the First Workshop on Digitalisation and the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus. This workshop aimed to explore the role of digital technologies in enhancing the integration and management of these crucial sectors, improving resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable development through innovative solutions and data-driven decision-making.

Economic regulation emerged as a critical topic, underscoring its importance in ensuring sustainable water management. Effective regulation provides the necessary frameworks and incentives for efficient water use, promotes investment in water infrastructure, ensures fair pricing mechanisms that reflect the true cost of water services, and guarantees the equitable distribution of water resources. This approach supports environmental sustainability and resilience against climate change impacts.