March 2024

Communicating the shift towards water resilience

AMWAJ's World Water Day Celebration in Valencia

AMWAJ celebrated World Water Day with a collaborative panel discussion in Godella, near Valencia, Spain, on 22 March. Moderated by Patricia Carbonell, the event featured experts Diego Intrigliolo, from the Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), and Amanda, from Amigues de la Terra Valencia. Photographer Juan Solbes and boatman Vincente Muñoz added extra depth to the discussion with insights from their book 'La Albufera desde dentro.' A total 65 participants joined the event.

Inside the Albufera of Valencia

A view of the ‘fangueo’, from inside one of the tractors. Photo: Juan Solbes

Spain is home to 76 Ramsar-listed wetlands, ranking it fifth in the world, but 85% suffer alarming conservation issues. The Albufera wetlands include a freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia. The area is facing threats from water pollution, disrupted water flow, marsh silting and urbanization. Read more in the article by Marta Castillo Sánchez. Photography by Juan Solbes. 

Sinking of Rubymar Ship Poses Threat to Yemen’s Fish Stock, Marine Ecosystems

Fishing with a line on a desert beach in Yemen. Image: Jon Bowen, Flickr

The sinking of the fertilizer-laden Rubymar cargo ship following a Houthi attack in the Red Sea in February has raised significant concerns among Yemenis and came amid international warnings of a potential environmental catastrophe in Yemeni territorial waters. Many Yemenis are concerned about the anticipated harm to fish stocks and marine life in the region. The article was first published in Arabic by Dhaifullah Al-Sufi in Raseef22 on 13 March 2024, translated from Arabic to English by Mariam Younes.

AMWAJ at the ReFAL Meeting

We had an inspiring time at the XXIII Reunion of the Spanish Network of Anna Lindh Foundation and European Institute of the Mediterranean in Barcelona, where AMWAJ was represented by Marion Karam and Emin Yiğit Koyuncuoğlu.

Member Updates

REVOLVE - Revolve Magazine 51st Issue Launch Event

Soils host over 25% of the world’s biodiversity, they nourish our crops, they clean our water and store vast amounts of carbon and yet 60% of soil in the EU is classed as degraded. Join REVOLVE on 25 April at 18:00-19:30 for a solutions-driven panel discussion on soil and water through the prisms of sustainable farming, agricultural incentives, water governance models, policy and much more! Registration for this event will open shortly.

Member Updates

CREAF - 3 Made in Spain Fog Collectors Capable of Collecting up to 250L of Water per M2 per Month Are Presented

Photo: Life Nieblas

The LIFE Nieblas project, co-financed by the European Union, has developed innovative systems over four years to capture water from fog more efficiently. These systems offer a sustainable solution for reforestation and irrigation in arid environments. After successful testing in the Canary Islands, the project partners are now sharing their results to promote wider adoption of these technologies across the Iberian Peninsula.

Member Updates

MedWaves Launches 'Working Paper on the Contribution of Circular Economy to Climate Action'

MedWaves launched the ‘Working Paper on the Contribution of Circular Economy to Climate Action’ in the framework of the COP28UAE at the occasion of the panel discussion “Circular Thinking for Climate Action: The Synergy of Circular Economy and Climate Change Mitigation” held in Dubai on 1 December 2023.

Opportunities4u

Advanced Course

The course is designed by CHIEAM Zaragoza, AMWAJ member CREAF and EFI for professionals involved in the planning and management of forest ecosystems in Mediterranean areas.

Opportunities4u

Researcher

Arab Reform Initiative is looking for a researcher on water justice in the MENA region (Consultancy). Deadline: 30 March 2024.

Opportunities4u

Technical Assistant

Blue Peace Middle East is looking for a Technical Assistant to support the initiative’s projects and activities related to the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus, youth initiatives, and community engagement.

Opportunities4u

Technical Assistance

MedWaves is looking for Technical Assistance to conduct analysis of PFOS and HBCD under the GEF-Funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme). Deadline: 9 April 2024 

AMWAJ stands for A Mediterranean Water And Journalism platform for sustainable development. We aspire to build an energy and water community around the Mediterranean. An initiative by REVOLVE.