- The Preparatory Process is identifying local actions
- The 4th World Water Forum will expect major participation by different
leading groups and organizations in the Forum
- The European Regional Committee has been set up
- The Inter-American Development Bank is offering support for media
activities
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mexican government, through
the Secretariat of the 4th World Water Forum and the World Water Council,
issued a Second Announcement of the Forum during the Seminar "Local Actions
for a Global Challenge", held in the framework of the World Water Week in
Stockholm.
The announcement urges the adoption of a focus based on local solutions in
which not only governments participate, but also individuals, civil society,
the mass media, businesspersons, and members of the communities of each
country, reported Cristobal Jaime Jaquez, Co-Chair of the Forum's
International Organizing Committee and Director General of the National Water
Commission of Mexico.
"This represents the possibility for all countries to learn about what
other nations have already experienced and to implement and adjust these
successful actions to the real conditions of each region," he explained.
In this sense, Franca Schwarz, from the ministry of the Environment in
Germany, agreed in pointing out that what really distinguishes the 4th World
Water Forum from other global conferences is the identification of local
actions. Through the regional meetings as part of the preparatory process for
the Forum this bottom up strategy brings different views and experiences on
this field together.
Meanwhile, Hilary Coulby, of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group,
emphasized that the groups and social organizations are ready and already in
contact with each other to participate in the Forum. "Preparatory meetings and
conferences in Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, and the Philippines have already
been added to the agenda, in which some representative groups such as Thames
Water, PSI, and Water Aid are participating," she reported.
In addition, international women's organizations and networks that work in
water and environmental agencies have pooled efforts and formed a Women's
Council to organize sessions with the aim of guaranteeing that a gender
perspective be incorporated in the Forum.
The International Organizing Committee of the 4th World Water Forum
explained that the Second Announcement deals with the mechanisms through which
any organization, network, or individual can participate in the five regions:
Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. This will allow
participants to familiarize themselves with different ways of resolving the
challenges of water and the successful experiences that have been implemented.
During the World Water Week in Stockholm the Regional Committee for Europe
has been set up. "We are pleased to work with the region of Europe during the
preparatory process and the 4th World Water Forum itself to make European
Local Actions a strong input into the Forum," remarked the Committee's
coordinator, Jeroen J. van der Sommen, Netherlands Water Partnership, in his
presentation.
The Minister of Water of Ethiopia, Shiferaw Jarso, pointed out factors
such as poverty and the impact of natural disasters -- drought, floods, and
desertification -- in addition to inadequate water management, lack planning
in response to environmental and ecological problems, demand major investments
in infrastructure. "There is an urgent need to turn into actions instead of
only discussions."
Bert Diphoorn, a board member of the African Development Bank (ADB) and
coordinator of the Organizing Committee for the African region declared,
"Africa is very interested in participating in the preparatory process and the
Forum, and with this in mind, will have the support of the African Development
Bank. We will have more than 20 sessions organized by experts thanks to the
Forum platform and a regional meeting that will be held next month in
Tunisia."
It should be emphasized that the Second Announcement contains a
description of the challenges in each of the regions, considered from the
vantage point of the framework themes and crosscutting perspectives that
involve such topics as financing local initiatives, the development of
capacities, use of technology, and evaluation of current policies in relation
to water-related problems.
The document also describes the agenda to be followed in each of the
Forum's component activities, such as the Ministerial Conference, World Water
Expo, Prizes that will be awarded, and the Water Fair, with its cultural
events. Information on these activities available at the Forum's website:
http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx
In relation to other points, it was reported that the International
Organizing Committee of the Forum will seek to promote a greater participation
and commitment from the communications media. With this in mind, the
Inter-American Development Bank will finance training workshops, so that the
issue of water will be an important topic in the media's agenda and as a
result, a greater awareness and participation by society will be achieved.
The seminar lecturers said that they do not want to give the impression
that a project has been developed to compensate or address the lack of water
in a specific place in the world. What is important is to find out directly
from the local actors what financial, economic, political or technological
factors allowed a project of key importance to become a reality for the
survival of a community. This is why the central slogan of the World Forum is
"Local Actions for a Global Challenge."
The World Water Forum is the most important international event related to
water, organized by the World Water Council together with the host country.
The fourth edition will take place in Mexico from March 16th to 22nd, 2006.
The goal of the World Water Forum, held every three years, is to promote
sustainable policy in managing water resources world-wide, as well as
generating awareness about water-related problems, promoting a better
management of water resources, and influencing public policy and
decision-making in the local, regional, national and international levels.
The World Water Forum is an open space for all to participate and
influence the better management of water. Among the activities of the Forum, a
ministerial conference will take place, as well as thematic sessions,
workshops, an expo and water fair, and a cinema festival, among others.
Secretariat of the 4th World Water Forum:
AV. Insurgentes Sur 2416
piso 4 Ala Sur
Copilco 04340 Mexico D.F.
- MEXICO -
Tel: +52-55-51 74 44 80
Fax: +52-55-51 74 44 75
For more information:
Ulrike Kelm
Tel: +52-55-51744000 ext. 1124
ulrike.kelm@worldwaterforum4.org.mx
Carolina Vazquez
Tel: +52-55-51744000 ext. 1105
carolina.vazquez@cna.gob.mx
SOURCE National Water Commission of Mexico
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx
CONTACT:
Ulrike Kelm, +52-55-51744000 ext. 1124,
ulrike.kelm@worldwaterforum4.org.mx, or Carolina Vazquez,
+52-55-51744000 ext. 1105, carolina.vazquez@cna.gob.mx
|
