Water Scarcity, Land Degradation and Desertification in the Mediterranean Region

Based on the suggestions made by the speakers of Plenary Session IV "Ch- lenges to the management of water resources and to countering deserti cation in the Mediterranean region" during the 15th Economic and Environmental Forum, the OCEEA proposed to organize a workshop on "Water Scarcity, Land Degra- tion and Deserti cation in the Mediterranean region - Environment and Security Aspects". In order to build on common synergies, OSCE sought co-operation with c- leagues from NATO, in particular from the Science for Peace and Security P- gramme. NATO has a longstanding expertise on the issue and had organised in Valencia, in December 2003, a NATO scienti c workshop on "Deserti cation and Security in the Mediterranean Region". The objective of the new proposed wo- shop would be to broaden its focus from the scienti c community to include also policy makers. 1 The workshop, aimed at government of cials from the Mediterranean Region, gathered representatives of Water management, Land degradation and Desert- cation Departments of Ministries of Environment and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. In addition, policy makers, scientists and experts were also invited. The aim was to discuss how the OSCE, NATO and other c- petent organizations like the UNCCD, UNEP, MAP, and the EU could play a role in ensuring that environment and security linkages in terms of water scarcity, land degradation and deserti cation are addressed in the Mediterranean Region.

"This book is the outcome of an international workshop promoted and organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and by the Science for Peace and Security Programme of NATO. Its focus is the emerging issue of environment and security aspects in terms of water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean Region. This region has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas with respect to environmental security threats. Conversely, due to its climatic and topographic features, the cross-boundary dimension of the Mediterranean Basin, and its mix of cultural, political and economic diversity, the region also represents an area that poses the potential for social and political instability.The Euro-Mediterranean Region is affected by frequent severe environmental events, such as forest fires, floods and landslides, droughts, torrential rains, heat waves and water scarcity. The Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean undergo even more harsh environmental impacts affecting the availability of water resources and the soil quality & productivity. These environmental conditions contribute to the development of negative processes, like social marginalization, conflicts and migrations The book includes scientific analysis and evaluation on these topics, together with the views of policy makers. The outputs of the discussions and recommendations of four Working Groups are provided as summaries of the dialogue and the exchange of ideas between experts and representatives from the affected countries and the international organizations competent in the matter."

Key Notes Presentations.- Background Paper.- Grounding Security, Securing the Ground.- Status of Desertification in the Mediterranean Region.- Desertification and Water Scarcity as a Security Challenge in the Mediterranean.- Facing Water Crises and Shortages in the Mediterranean.- Reviewing Land Use and Security Linkages in the Mediterranean Region.- Reports of theWorkings Groups.- Wg I - Security Implications of Unsustainable Water Management and Land Use.- Wg Ii - Loss of Livelihoods and Increased Migration.- Wg Iii - Linkages Between Combating Land Degradation, Desertification and Conflict Prevention.- Wg IV - Managing Water Scarcity.- Introductory Remarks to the Working Group IV: Managing Water Scarcity.- Egyptian Water and Soil: A Cause for Migration and Security Threats?.