MedCities, the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), and AVITEM joined forces at the World Metropolitan Summit to advance governance and cooperation for sustainable water management across the Mediterranean. On 16 October 2025, they convened the event “Towards a Water-Resilient Mediterranean: Solutions from Local Authorities” within the World Metropolitan Summit (WMS25) programme in Barcelona.

Gathering metropolitan and local representatives from across the region, the meeting addressed the urgent challenge of ensuring sustainable water governance amid increasing scarcity, uneven distribution, and climate pressures in Mediterranean urban areas. Participants discussed integrated approaches linking water, energy, food, and ecosystems (WEFE Nexus), innovative reuse practices, and equitable access to water as a human right. Our members, such as AMB, Antalya, Agadir, Barcelona, Bodrum, Metropoly of Naples, Genoa, and Tangier shared the stage with other relevant stakeholders on water management to share their good practices to shape a more sustainable region. 

The event served as a key milestone in building a shared Mediterranean voice ahead of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum (Rome, 2026) and the World Water Forum (Riyadh, 2027), where local governments aim to present joint political recommendations.

By highlighting the role of municipalities in fostering urban resilience, green transition, and inclusive governance, this initiative contributes directly to the achievement of SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The event has been made possible thanks to the support of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area in the framework of the MetroMed Project.

In the framework of the World Metropolitan Summit, a Declaration was released. You can read it here:

BARCELONA METROPOLITAN DECLARATION: Metropolitan future beyond 2030

If your institution wishes to adhere to the political declaration, please fill out the following form.

Learn more about MedCities’ actions for sustainable urban development.

Watch here the summary video:

Watch here the interviews with some of the participants:

• Napoli- Francesco Senese
• Bodrum- YAren Ustabas
• Agadir- Imane Achemlal
• Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB)- Xavier Tiana