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UCLG-MEWA Newsletter-5
WORLD WATER DAY 23.03.2015
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution in which the 22nd of March was declared as the Annual World Water Day(#WWD2015). It is an important event which addresses the water-related issues which have a significant impact on a large portion of the global population. It is on this day that serves as a reminder for us to refocus our policies on the management of water. “Water and Sustainable Development” which is the theme of this year has the same content with the subject of UN World Water Development Report 2015: Water for A Sustainable World.
UN-WATER, which started a campaign in social media with the tag #WaterIs, aims to emphasize specifically how water impacts all areas in our lives including demonstrating the consumption of tons of water for manufacturing even the daily used objects.
On World Water Day, which this year falls just a few days before the World Water Forum to be held in South Korea, UCLG reaffirms that ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is one of the top priorities of local and regional governments. Universal access to water and sanitation is a key factor to achieving social inclusion, the empowerment of women and the eradication of poverty.
Water resources and services can enable poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. Whether it’s a question of food security or energy, human health or the environment, water contributes to improving social well-being and overall growth; it has an impact on the livelihoods of billions of people.
« Basic services, in particular water and sanitation, are essential not only in preserving human life and dignity, but also in supporting economic growth and ensuring social equity »
Kadir Topbaş, Mayor of Istanbul and President of UCLG. Extract from the GOLD III preface.
Middle East and West Asia region is one of the most problematic regions in the world in terms of water which is one of the areas of focus of UCLG-MEWA. Therefore, it is our responsibility to raise awareness in our region and ensure that local governments address this issue. This year we have put several important water events in the UCLG-MEWA agenda which, we believe, will make a lot of contribution to our members. These events are:
- 7th World Water Forum,12-17 April, Daegu&Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
- 4th International Conference of Local and Regional Authorities for Water, 13-14 April, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Istanbul Water Expo, 3-5 September, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2nd Water Loss Forum Turkey, 28-29 September Istanbul, Turkey
The next World Water Forum will take place from 12-17 April 2015 in Daegu and Gyeonbuk, South Korea. UCLG is the co-organizer of the 4th International Conference of Local and Regional Authorities, to be held during the Forum, from 13 to 14 April. The Conference will focus on the implementation of the Istanbul Water Consensus, and will propose action plans and tools that could be used to achieve this. It will also enable local and regional elected officials to further exchange knowledge and expertise and share awareness ‑ raising activities on the issue of water policies.
An Implementation Strategy for Sustainable Water and Sanitation will be endorsed as a political declaration of the World Water Forum. The commitment of local and regional authorities will be indispensable in scaling up progress in sustainable water management.
On the other hand, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding sustainable water management in Post-2015 Development Agenda that will be finalized in this year, has vital importance in terms of designating an approach to water and the development that will be implemented in the future.
Finaly, as UCLG-MEWA, we support the #WaterIs campaign organized by UN-WATER and celebrate World Water Day!
More information about events: s.saral@uclg-mewa.org
