Water does not stop at borders in the Mediterranean — and neither should the way we manage it.

Rome from 29 September to 2 October 2026

This was the message at the heart of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory’s participation in the 6th Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum, held in Rome from 29 September to 2 October 2026, where OSS was represented by Ms. Soumaya Mouhli.

Across the discussions, one idea kept coming back: Mediterranean water security depends on our ability to connect knowledge, cooperation and finance.

For transboundary water resources, the OSS experience has shown that effective cooperation starts with a shared understanding of the resource itself. Reliable data, regular dialogue, consultation mechanisms and trust between countries are essential to build sustainable management arrangements and support joint decision-making.

Groundwater is just as critical. As pressure on water resources continues to grow, better knowledge and monitoring of aquifers — especially those shared by several countries — will become increasingly important by 2050. But producing knowledge is only part of the answer. What matters is making sure that science feeds into governance and ultimately helps shape policy and investment decisions.

Financing is the other side of the equation. OSS also contributed to the event “Bridging the Gap: From Drought Risk to Bankable Investment in the Mediterranean”, co-organized by the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and EY. The discussion focused on how to move from identified drought risks and resilience needs to concrete, investable projects capable of attracting both public and private finance.

Knowledge. Cooperation. Finance. Action.

That is the integrated approach OSS brought to Rome: using better information to guide decisions, stronger cooperation to bridge borders, and finance to turn resilience priorities into action.