World Water Week in Stockholm: Saving our water
2011/09/06
 

The conference provided an opportunity for politicians, international organisations, water and sanitation professionals / scientists and businesses to gather to address this year’s World Water Week theme: Water in an Urbanising World.
 
The Opening Plenary was given by Anders Berntell, Executive Director of SIWI who welcomed delegates to the 21st World Water Week. He highlighted that the technology needed to address the current water and sanitation challenges has existed for thousands of years but that now is the time to mobilise political will.
 
One of the most poignant messages from Berntell was that by 2030 demand for water will outstrip supply by 40% if we continue with ‘business as usual’. The Mayor of Stockholm, Mr Sten Nordin, invited delegates to utilise World Water Week as a forum to explore new ways and technologies to preserve and improve our water.
 
In the afternoon plenary, the Mayors Panel gathered mayors from four continents who presented the key challenges faced within their cities in regard to water and sanitation and how they are addressing them. The panel were also given the opportunity to reflect on cross-cutting issues related to water and climate change affecting their cities and how they integrate strategies to adapt to climate change.

During the panel debate Ms Ortega, Secretary General of Citynet in the Philippines and former Mayor of San Fernando, indicated that if cities are experiencing water shortages they should be actively reducing their demand to preserve the water supply. Dr Aisa Kacyira, Governor of Eastern Province Rwanda, indicated that as one of the fastest urbanising countries in Africa Rwanda is decentralising water to the district level. It is envisioned that growth and service provision at the district level will increase its attractiveness and decrease the pressures of urbanisation within the larger cities. Furthermore, Dr Kacyira highlighted numerous examples of good practices that Rwanda is undertaking to decrease cost of infrastructure, increase water resources, undertake community engagement and proactively plan their development.

Mr Tosi Mpanu, Chair of the Africa Group Negotiators discussing Water, Climate and Development towards COP 17. Credit: Thomas Henrikson SIWI

Tuesday 23 August was Africa Focus day at World Water Week and numerous sessions, side events and seminars took place focusing on water and sanitation in Africa. During Africa Focus Day the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) in partnership with development partners convened numerous seminars, including a morning seminar that focused on discussing Water, Climate and Development towards UNFCCC COP 17/CMP7.

Discussants agreed that there are multiple links under the UNFCCC that are connected to water and it is imperative that it is considered within the forthcoming discussions due to the cross cutting nature of water and climate change. It was agreed that water should not be  dealt with as an individual item but incorporated within the larger debate. It was also noted that it is essential to incorporate water and climate change within national planning, strategies and budgets if we are to increase resilience within our communities, as water underpins many aspects addressed under climate change including CDM, nuclear energy and solar energy etc.

Tosi Mpanu, Chair of the Africa Group Negotiators informed and encouraged delegates to attend and noted that we will have an African Pavilion at COP 17, which will serve to showcase Africa’s good practice and innovation in regard to addressing climate change. To have a look at the World Water Week statement, click here.