Key Topics and Expected Actions at the 3rd World Water Forum
Governance – who decides how water is utilized – may be the most important topic for the Forum. Many water experts say that the world faces a governance crisis rather than a water crisis.
"Good water governance" requires effective socio-political and administrative systems that use an integrated water management approach with an open process in which all can participate. Forum participants are expected to conclude that primary responsibility rests with governments to make water a priority.
Supply and Quality will be one of the major topics at the Forum.
Water experts say that increasing water use efficiency and improved demand management are essential, but environmental and social costs must also be addressed in order to make water advances "sustainable."
"Accelerated groundwater development over the past few decades has resulted in great social and economic benefits for many people," says Dr. Abu Zeid. "But excessive depletion, combined with uncontrolled urban and industrial waste, have caused widespread degradation of surface waters and aquifers, which has hurt economic and social development, poverty alleviation and sustenance of ecosystems."
Governance – who decides how water is utilized – may be the most important topic for the Forum. Many water experts say that the world faces a governance crisis rather than a water crisis.
"Good water governance" requires effective socio-political and administrative systems that use an integrated water management approach with an open process in which all can participate. Forum participants are expected to conclude that primary responsibility rests with governments to make water a priority.
Supply and Quality will be one of the major topics at the Forum.
Water experts say that increasing water use efficiency and improved demand management are essential, but environmental and social costs must also be addressed in order to make water advances "sustainable."
"Accelerated groundwater development over the past few decades has resulted in great social and economic benefits for many people," says Dr. Abu Zeid. "But excessive depletion, combined with uncontrolled urban and industrial waste, have caused widespread degradation of surface waters and aquifers, which has hurt economic and social development, poverty alleviation and sustenance of ecosystems."