Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), Abdelkader El Kihal, called on Saturday for water to be recognized and protected as a fundamental and inalienable human right.
Speaking at a symposium co-organized by the French National Assembly and PAM to mark World Water Day under the theme “The Right to Water and the Recognition of Life’s Commons,” El Kihal, who also chairs PAM’s First Standing Committee on Regional Political Cooperation and Security, emphasized that the right to water remains a highly sensitive issue, noting that water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change and population growth, is fueling tensions and conflicts in many parts of the world.
El Kihal, who is also a member of Morocco’s House of Councillors, stressed the urgent need to prioritize the development and financing of flexible water infrastructure, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate change.
He underscored the importance of implementing innovative, country-specific solutions while strengthening regional cooperation to pool efforts and resources.
El Kihal also warned that widespread water contamination, particularly from "forever pollutants," is worsening the global water crisis. He explained that these substances, combined with industrial waste and untreated wastewater, are compromising water quality and threatening both human health and aquatic ecosystems.
To address this growing challenge, he called for more ambitious policies and stronger legislative frameworks to combat water pollution and ensure the sustainable management of water resources in the Mediterranean. He emphasized the crucial role of parliamentarians in drafting and harmonizing regulations aimed at protecting this vital resource.
In the same vein, El Kihal highlighted the importance of education and awareness-raising in fostering lasting behavioral change. He stressed the need to engage all stakeholders in a collective effort to promote responsible water use and environmentally sustainable practices.
He also reiterated PAM’s commitment—through its network and parliamentary diplomacy—to strengthening the right to water in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions, while promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions.
MAP: 24 March 2025
