EU-funded project supports the enforcement of water laws in the South Mediterranean

How to achieve a better compliance with water laws in the South Mediterranean countries was at the focus of a 2 days policy dialogue in Athens, Greece on 14th and 15th of October 2014.

Organized in the framework of the EU-funded Sustainable Water Integrated Management – Support Mechanism (SWIM-SM), the activity brought together 31 experts and NGOs from 7 South Mediterranean countries, who reviewed the current enforcement issues and gaps their countries experience, deliberated possible policy options, identified measures to improve conformity including capacity needs, and suggested guidelines for countries of the region towards better application of rule of law in the water sector. Insufficient policies, inadequate legislative and regulatory frameworks, ill prepared judiciary systems, limited technical and institutional capacities and lack of appropriate modalities and operating systems were among the main constraints for compliance and enforcement identified in the Region. 

Participants praised the meeting for its structure and high level presentations, its dynamic discussions and very vibrant participation. Facilitation and interventions by the experts were commended and lessons learnt were deemed useful. 

--
See also:

• EU-funded project supports South Mediterranean countries in regulating the recharge of aquifers with adequately treated wastewater
• SWIM-SM helps assessing the cost of water resources degradation & remediation in South Mediterranean Basins
• EU-funded project assists Lebanese decision makers in prioritizing investments to reduce the degradation of the Litani River Basin