The objective of the new proposed work- shop would be to broaden its focus from the scientific community to include also policy makers. The workshop, aimed at government officials from the Mediterranean Region,1 gathered representatives of Water management, Land degradation and Desertifi- cation Departments of Ministries of Environment and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. In addition, policy makers, scientists and experts were also invited. The aim was to discuss how the OSCE, NATO and other com- petent organizations like the UNCCD, UNEP, MAP, and the EU could play a role in ensuring that environment and security linkages in terms of water scarcity, land degradation and desertification are addressed in the Mediterranean Region.