More than 10,000 Expected to Attend Istanbul Conference Highlighting
Global Water Issues
The 5th World Water Forum, the world’s largest water-related
event, will convene in Istanbul, Turkey, March 16-22, 2009, to push the
worldwide water crisis onto the international agenda. Held every three
years, the Forum gathers parties from every horizon to find sustainable
solutions to the world’s water challenges. With more than 3,000
participating organizations and over 10,000 attendees, this year’s Forum
will include international heads of state, United Nations
representatives, ministers, parliamentarians, local authorities and
other government officials, as well as water professionals, activists
and other interested parties. During this year’s Forum, the United
Nations’ World Water Development Report will be unveiled giving insight
into freshwater resources.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, two-thirds of the
planet will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025 if present
consumption patterns continue. “The ultimate goal of the 5th
World Water Forum Istanbul 2009 is to motivate action to improve the
world’s management of water resources,” says Prof. Dr. Oktay Tabasaran,
the Forum’s secretary-general. “This can only be done by raising
awareness of the importance of water-related issues. However, global
awareness must be followed by actions such as legislation and funding,
which are promoted through the Forum.”
This year, through its Green Forum Initiative, the World Water Forum
will plant one tree for every attendant. Additionally, the
Istanbul Water Consensus identified “Champion Cities” united in
commitment for urban water resource management in the face of global
changes. The Champion Cities include Brisbane, Australia; Stuttgart,
Germany; Vienna, Austria; Paris and Strasbourg, France; Rotterdam, The
Netherlands; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lausanne, Switzerland; and
Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkey offers a unique setting for this year’s Forum due to its position
as a crossroads between continents, regions, cultures and civilizations,
in sync with the Forum’s theme, “Bridging Divides for Water.”
World Water Forum
The World Water Forum is the international meeting place to share
concrete solutions for water issues. For more information, visit www.worldwaterforum5.org.