More sustainable water policies, say ministers
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 23, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Many issues discussed at the World Water Forum remain unresolved but the political commitment to solving water management challenges seems unwavering. Ministers attending the forum have reaffirmed their resolve.
During the seven-day 5th World Water Forum there was one common opinion: water sustains human life and the environment. Yet for heads of states, governments and stakeholders, water is about connecting people, cultures and economies.
Water, indispensable for all economic and social development, food security, and ending poverty and hunger, is also essential to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, signed by United Nations member states for partnership and development and other internationally agreed development goals. The world is facing changes that have negative effects on water resources.
Water in the cities is as important as agricultural land. Cities need proper and efficient infrastructure. According to the "Istanbul Water Guide," investment in these areas should be given the highest priority.
Ministers at the forum, which closed yesterday, declared there is an urgent need for new policies, adaptation strategies, institutional reforms with the effective contribution of local elected administrations and water users, international commitments, financial mechanisms, technology and innovation in order to address global water issues and adapt water management strategies to the global changes.
The ministers affirmed their political will to take rapid action for the future of water. They called on all nations to join forces to find solutions to the world’s water problems.
Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council and one of the organizers of the forum, gave small speeches at each session during the forum and took the stage at the ministerial conference. Underlining that the forum is more political than technical, Fauchon said the "Istanbul Water Guide," prepared during the four preparatory meetings before the forum, is one of the most important achievements in water diplomacy.
Troubling facts
"Reaching water easily is not possible anymore. With climate change, water resources are facing more danger," said Fauchon.
Director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Jacques Diouf said 1 billion people face problems because of hunger and scarce sources and touched upon the importance of water for food and agriculture.
Diouf called for efficient use of water in developing countries. "There are also opportunities during crises. I wish to see support for a productive integrated agricultural policies."
According to Veysel Eroğlu, the environment minister of Turkey, each nation around the world struggles with water problems. "A good and fair management of water for humans and species is needed." Saying that Turkey is not a rich country in water resources, Eroğlu said the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, or DSİ, has completed construction of 600 dams to date. "More than 5.2 million of 8.3 million hectares of agricultural land in Turkey already has irrigation. We will invest in hydroelectric energy centers. The aim is to increase our capacity from 14,000 to 40,000 megawatts in 5 years," said Eroğlu.
Ministers and heads of delegations agreed to make the best effort to reach international goals for people to access safe and clean water, sanitation, hygiene and healthy ecosystems through convenient policies. Areas covered included improving water use for agriculture, country-led development projects, work for raising awareness, preventing pollution, investing in wastewater treatment, improving water-related monitoring systems and improving governance at the national level. They also agreed to support scientific research, education, development and adoption of new technologies and acknowledge the discussions within the UN system regarding human rights and access to safe drinking water and sanitation. They recognized that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a basic human need.
Besides including the effective use of financial resources to increase support for water management, water supply and sanitation, they agreed that new and adequate resources are needed.
Water, indispensable for all economic and social development, food security, and ending poverty and hunger, is also essential to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, signed by United Nations member states for partnership and development and other internationally agreed development goals. The world is facing changes that have negative effects on water resources.
Water in the cities is as important as agricultural land. Cities need proper and efficient infrastructure. According to the "Istanbul Water Guide," investment in these areas should be given the highest priority.
Ministers at the forum, which closed yesterday, declared there is an urgent need for new policies, adaptation strategies, institutional reforms with the effective contribution of local elected administrations and water users, international commitments, financial mechanisms, technology and innovation in order to address global water issues and adapt water management strategies to the global changes.
The ministers affirmed their political will to take rapid action for the future of water. They called on all nations to join forces to find solutions to the world’s water problems.
Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council and one of the organizers of the forum, gave small speeches at each session during the forum and took the stage at the ministerial conference. Underlining that the forum is more political than technical, Fauchon said the "Istanbul Water Guide," prepared during the four preparatory meetings before the forum, is one of the most important achievements in water diplomacy.
Troubling facts
"Reaching water easily is not possible anymore. With climate change, water resources are facing more danger," said Fauchon.
Director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Jacques Diouf said 1 billion people face problems because of hunger and scarce sources and touched upon the importance of water for food and agriculture.
Diouf called for efficient use of water in developing countries. "There are also opportunities during crises. I wish to see support for a productive integrated agricultural policies."
According to Veysel Eroğlu, the environment minister of Turkey, each nation around the world struggles with water problems. "A good and fair management of water for humans and species is needed." Saying that Turkey is not a rich country in water resources, Eroğlu said the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, or DSİ, has completed construction of 600 dams to date. "More than 5.2 million of 8.3 million hectares of agricultural land in Turkey already has irrigation. We will invest in hydroelectric energy centers. The aim is to increase our capacity from 14,000 to 40,000 megawatts in 5 years," said Eroğlu.
Ministers and heads of delegations agreed to make the best effort to reach international goals for people to access safe and clean water, sanitation, hygiene and healthy ecosystems through convenient policies. Areas covered included improving water use for agriculture, country-led development projects, work for raising awareness, preventing pollution, investing in wastewater treatment, improving water-related monitoring systems and improving governance at the national level. They also agreed to support scientific research, education, development and adoption of new technologies and acknowledge the discussions within the UN system regarding human rights and access to safe drinking water and sanitation. They recognized that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a basic human need.
Besides including the effective use of financial resources to increase support for water management, water supply and sanitation, they agreed that new and adequate resources are needed.