Global Strategy Forum: Water Policy in a Shifting Climate
24/08/10 13:06
The Bled Strategic Forum: Global and National Water Policy for the Next Decade
30 August 2010, Bled, Slovenia
As a result of climate change, population growth, environmental degradation and increased demand for food and energy, almost half of the world's population will have lived in areas of high water stress by 2030. With longer droughts, more frequent extreme meteorological events and changes in precipitation patterns, global warming affects particularly the water cycle. Climate change will impact on the most vulnerable communities in developing countries, multiplying the effects of poverty, poor governance and political instability.
30 August 2010, Bled, Slovenia
As a result of climate change, population growth, environmental degradation and increased demand for food and energy, almost half of the world's population will have lived in areas of high water stress by 2030. With longer droughts, more frequent extreme meteorological events and changes in precipitation patterns, global warming affects particularly the water cycle. Climate change will impact on the most vulnerable communities in developing countries, multiplying the effects of poverty, poor governance and political instability.
Water security is essential to reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. However, water governance is more than just assuring adequate quantity, quality and reliability of water supply for all sectors. It is about sustainable management of water resources, which requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Water governance combines technical knowledge with social values and political accountability.
Water is also making its way to the top of the international agenda. With increasing demand and growth in depleted or degraded water supplies, water security is becoming equally important as energy security. Water scarcity can exacerbate existing political rivalries or promote cooperation for management of cross-boundary water resources. While global action to address water issues is important, regional cooperation and local solutions are essential to deliver results.
Guiding questions:
• How can global discussion on water governance be promoted as a link between human security, economic development and environmental sustainability?
• How can awareness be raised of the importance of water resource management in adapting to climate change?
• How can the water challenge be addressed at different decision-making levels? How can we combine water policy-making at the global level with regional, national and local strategies?
• What is the role of new technologies in reducing water stress, e.g. carbon neutral desalination of seawater, wastewater recycling?
Panel:
Moderated by: Mr R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of the Ecologic Institute, Germany (confirmed)
• Mr Jorge Borges, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Co-operation and Communities of Cape Verde (confirmed) • Dr Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment (confirmed)
• Dr Kerri Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary and Head of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, United States of America (confirmed) • Prof Dr Francisco Nunes Correia, Former Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Portugal and Full Professor at IST - DECivil, Portugal (confirmed)
• Prof Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, Professor at the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (confirmed)
• Dr John Matthews, Director, Freshwater Climate Adaptation Program, at World Wildlife Fund, United States of America (confirmed)
Water is also making its way to the top of the international agenda. With increasing demand and growth in depleted or degraded water supplies, water security is becoming equally important as energy security. Water scarcity can exacerbate existing political rivalries or promote cooperation for management of cross-boundary water resources. While global action to address water issues is important, regional cooperation and local solutions are essential to deliver results.
Guiding questions:
• How can global discussion on water governance be promoted as a link between human security, economic development and environmental sustainability?
• How can awareness be raised of the importance of water resource management in adapting to climate change?
• How can the water challenge be addressed at different decision-making levels? How can we combine water policy-making at the global level with regional, national and local strategies?
• What is the role of new technologies in reducing water stress, e.g. carbon neutral desalination of seawater, wastewater recycling?
Panel:
Moderated by: Mr R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of the Ecologic Institute, Germany (confirmed)
• Mr Jorge Borges, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Co-operation and Communities of Cape Verde (confirmed) • Dr Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment (confirmed)
• Dr Kerri Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary and Head of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, United States of America (confirmed) • Prof Dr Francisco Nunes Correia, Former Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Portugal and Full Professor at IST - DECivil, Portugal (confirmed)
• Prof Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, Professor at the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (confirmed)
• Dr John Matthews, Director, Freshwater Climate Adaptation Program, at World Wildlife Fund, United States of America (confirmed)
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