Water resources in Mediterranean countries are limited and unequally distributed. Thirty million people in these countries lack access to safe drinking water, especially in the south and east countries. The main objective of the WATMED5 conference is to create a forum for exchange and debate on the knowledge of water topics and to bring the actors of the water field (researchers, professionals, managers, communities, associations and others) to discuss the challenges encountered in the management and protection of water resources in the Mediterranean Basin.