Rome, 15-18 May 2023– In the framework of the PAM broader study on access to water and sanitation in the Euro-Mediterranean and the Gulf regions, PAM Special Rapporteur on Water, Hon. Gabriel Amard (France), has held a number of bilateral meetings in Italy.
The mission is the first of the several scheduled to take place in PAM Member Countries. It is aimed at contributing to a comprehensive report on the situation of access to water and sanitation, as a human right, and is the first of its kind in the region.
In Bari, accompanied by PAM President Emeritus, Sen. Amoruso (Italy), Hon. Amard visited the laboratories of the Acquedotto Pugliese, which is considered one of the most important in Italy, and one of the biggest in Europe, notably in terms of efficiency. The main focus of the visit was the control over the water networks and facilities, with a focus on cutting edge technologies for potability checks.
Hon. Amard was welcomed at the Acquedotto’s Headquarters by the Director General, Ms. Francesca Portincasa. During the meeting, she recalled that international cooperation is the only way to achieve the sustainable future of water, thus welcoming PAM visit. Hence, several technical issues were discussed with the Acquedotto’s management. In the afternoon, Hon. Amard visited the Acquedotto Water Purifier in Bari and held a meeting with managers and engineers, who explained the plant’s innovative techniques for purification, with high levels of energy efficiency.
In Rome, Hon. Amard held a number of institutional meetings and hands-on discussions on the Italian legislative and regulatory framework on access to water. Hon. Amard met with the President of the Italian Commission on Environment of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Hon. Mauro Rotelli, who highlighted the parliamentary work of the Commission on water, waste management and energy. Hon. Amard highlighted the importance of fostering access to water and sanitation as a human right, in line with the 2010 UNGA Resolution, and stressed the need to foster the long-term collaboration among PAM Members on the issue.
Hon. Amard also met with Hon. Piero Fassino (Italy), President of the Italy-France Interparliamentary Group and of the Committee for the Coordination of Relations between the Chamber of Deputies and the Assemblée Nationale. They discussed parliamentary cooperation strategies and common priorities, and Hon. Amard also presented the aims of his visit.
Successively, Hon. Amard met with Minister Counselor Christophe Lemoine, at the French Embassy, to present the PAM work on water and upcoming missions.
Hon. Amard’s visit to Italy is yet another testimony of PAM’s commitment towards the promotion of the right and access to water and sanitation, in line with its own and other UN relevant resolutions. The work of Hon. Amard will continue throughout 2023 and will result in a comprehensive report on access to water and sanitation, to be presented in February 2024 at the PAM 18th Plenary Session.//