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The Malta
Resources Authority (MRA) and the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a
stakeholder consultation workshop on “A Water Policy for the
Future” on the 10th March at the Sol Suncrest
Hotel, Qawra. This initiative was taken by the Authority as part
of its efforts in developing a modern water policy that seeks to
ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the Maltese
islands.
The workshop
was launched by the Minister of Resources and Infrastructure
the Hon. Ninu Zammit and addressed by key FAO speakers and local
experts.
The Directorate
of Water Resources Regulation within the MRA reviewed local
legislation and current policies on water management with the
primary objective of setting a sound scientific basis for the
future policy. The new policy is expected to include the legal,
administrative and financial instruments that will enable the
sustainable management of water resources and support the
implementation of the relevant EU Directives, in particular the
Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive.
A consultation document was prepared and
intended to stimulate discussion. This
document reports on the results of a water
resources review commissioned by the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the Malta
Resources Authority (MRA). It draws together the findings
and recommendations of a group of independent experts who
undertook studies on key sectors and specific themes, related to
water resources management.
The Authority invited
stakeholders to participate in this consultation process and
to present their concerns and views on issues that they
regarded should be considered in the work leading to the
formulation of the water policy.
The consultation period has now
closed and the Authority is in the process of reviewing the
comments received.
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