Monaco was represented at the Summit of States, which is concerned with the issue of water in the face of climate change, by HE Robert Fillon, Ambassador of Monaco in Italy, on October 23 to 25 in Rome.

The conference, opened by Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti, enabled policy makers and experts to discuss in depth the many aspects of this vitally important issue.

In particular, the summit highlighted the importance of the river basin concept, cross-border cooperation for water management based on the principles of equity and sustainability, and appropriate decision-making and financing mechanisms.

The fact that the event took place in Italy emphasises the importance of the topic for the country, which was hit by serious drought this summer. The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, came to speak in person to offer closing remarks.

The text agreed at the conference will be transmitted on to COP 23, which will take place in Bonn, Germany, from November 7 to 16, to further integrate water issues into more wide-ranging negotiations.

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