Following the endorsement of the Water Strategy in the Western Mediterranean (WSWM) in Algiers on 31 March 2015, the water group of the 5+5 dialogue has been actively working on the preparation of an action plan and related projects. The second technical meeting was held in Valencia on 24 and 25 February 2016. A 1st draft action plan together with a dissemination roadmap as well as rules of the procedures for the organisation of and operation of the water group. The meeting was attended by 9 of the 10 Western Mediterranean countries (Libya was excused), the UfM secretariat, the European Commission as well as official observer members and financial institutions. This group is seen as a forerunner that could serve as a laboratory for the UfM Water Expert Group (relaunched last December in Luxembourg). Indeed discussions and decision making are much easier with a smaller group. It was agreed that the draft action plan will be reviewed to integrate the mapping of 5+5 water priorities with the priorities set-up in the draft Mediterranean Strategy for Water, while keeping the specificity of the sub-Mediterranean region. On the other hand, the analysis of projects proposed so far highlighted the need for clustering them mainly to bring a regional dimension to local projects representing 2/3 of the overall number. The 5+5 water process will expose its results at the MedCop 22 foreseen this summer in Tangiers (Morocco).
