World leaders call for sustainable development of water

TURKY: World leaders signed a water consensus on Monday at the 5th World Water Forum, underlining the importance of sustainable development of water.

The leaders met during the forum on Monday afternoon, which appealed for concrete action of governments around the world to highlight the role water plays in development and society.

The forum, which aimed to facilitate solutions to the world’s water problems and promote cooperation among states and organizations, began Monday in the largest Turkish city of Istanbul with the theme of “Bridging Divides for Water.”

Leaders pledged in the consensus to show political will for solidarity, dialogue and cooperation with their neighboring countries regarding cross-border waters, and said the world could be more prosperous and stable by sharing water.

Diplomats said that the consensus would be sent to the G8 countries and the UN as a base for more comprehensive international documents.

A record of 28,000 participants from all over the world, including a number of heads of state, more than 90 Ministers, 63 Mayors, 156 delegations and 148 Parliamentarians were gathering in the largest water-related event organized every three years by World Water Council (WWC) together with the host country.

An official of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said Monday at the meeting that the demand for water has been increasing and access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains inadequate in much of the developing world.

“With increasing water shortages, good governance is more than ever essential for water management. Combating poverty also depends on our ability to invest in this resource,” said UNESCO director-general Koichiro Matsuura. Meanwhile, two water-related prizes were awarded on the occasion of the opening ceremony.

The Hassan II Great World Water Prize was given to Abdulatif Yousef al-Hamad, president and director general of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, for his significant contribution to the improvement of cooperation and solidarity in water development and management.

The Turkish Republic Prime Minister’s Water Prize, which honors journalists who scored outstanding achievements in raising public awareness on water, was shared by Alison Bartle from Aqua Media International and three Turkish media staff.

The World Water Expo, which is a part of the forum, also kicked off on Monday. The show offered an opportunity for leading companies of water to present their services, products and advanced technologies.

Istanbul, Xinhua