World Water Day

22 March 2011


Cities around the world joined together to discuss issues of Water and Urbanisation, the overarching theme of World Water Day 2011.


Today was the culmination of the United Nations World Water Day 2011 event, two days of intense discussions with key stakeholders within the global water sector, taking place in Cape Town at the International Convention Centre.
 

The energy in the opening plenary was pervasive with all participants joining into the newly-launched song ‘Water is Life, Water is a Right, Water is a Human Right’. There were 850 events taking place around the world, registered on the World Water Day event website.


His Royal Highness, Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the chair of (United Nations Secretary General Advisory Board (UNSGAB); Honourable Minister Edna Molewa, South Africa’s Minister of Water Affairs and President of African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) and Tim Kasten, Deputy Director Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, UNEP and Vice Chair of UN Water, took part in the opening panel session.

 
Molewa said: “Africa is looking for solutions particularly in agriculture, food security; as there is no replacement for water it effects both the economy and livelihoods. Water has no boundaries, we must use the resource together and jointly.


Prince Willem-Alexander said: “Water in urban areas is one of the biggest crises not only in Africa but worldwide, but in Africa access to water has decreased by 37% in recent years.” He said that although everyone understood the crisis of water it required political will to find solutions.


Kasten, said: “Water is a pervasive issue that touches all aspects of peoples’ lives.” He said that moving towards Rio +20 the focus would shift to the green economy and developing jobs that have lower carbon foot prints and are inclusive of all society in an attempt to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

 
The keynote address was given by Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. Clos said that to close the gaps in access to water and sanitation, we need to act now. “Local and regional governments need to take into account the problems of the future, including the influx of people to cities and the future development of the cities.


Clos said we needed to plan dense and diversified urban settlements to limit the urban sprawl which often results in increased cost in service delivery. We also need to plan basic infrastructure so that the city is functional and able to provide goods and services, taking into account all aspects, including mobility, water, energy.

 
“Two thirds of (population) growth is taking place in medium sized towns and cities within Africa,” he said.


In the feedback from the events thematic sessions key recommendations for local governments were noted by Bert Diphoorn, Director of Human Settlements Financing Division, UN-HABITAT.


These were:

1.    To increase profile and support for the water and sanitation sector

2.    Effective governance and stakeholder consultation

3.    Support water operators

4.    Protect water resources

5.    Make your city a water champion city

6.    Develop learning alliances with universities

 

On behalf of the Secretary General of UN-HABITAT, Clos said that water featured strongly in the run up to Rio +20, particularly examining how to connect water, energy and food security and the environment, minimising water stress and creating jobs.


The African Caucus plenary session looked at where we are today in the context of urban water and sanitation.


From the panel the Zambian Minister of Local Government and Housing, Honourable Brian Chituwo, highlighted the need for local government to work in partnership with the communities and development actors to ensure political will is there for the good of the people.


Alderman Clive Justus of the City of Cape Town said development actors must partner with cities and funds need to be channelled through local authorities to accelerate implementation. “Cape Town’s vision is to become a leading city in Africa and a beacon of hope in the world.”


Lesotho’s Minister of Water said the outcomes of a recent parliament meeting confirmed that planning was the most important aspect to move forward within the water and sanitation sector.


Alioune Badiane, UN-HABITAT Director Regional Office for Africa and the Arab States, said: “Cities are engines of growth and we need to mobilise them.” He said this was especially successful using the examples set by champion cities and their leaders.