The world needs a more-focused and concerted approach to tackle the challenge of fresh water, which is gradually becoming a scarce commodity globally.
In a message at the World Water Week celebration in Stockholm, United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina Mohammed, stressed the need to accelerate progress towards sustainable development goals (SDG) on clean water and sanitation, and on water-related sustainable development goals.
“Today, strains on water are rising in all regions and climate change is aggravating the challenge. When water is unequally shared, or perceived to be, the risk of local and national conflict increases. We are even seeing in some cases the use of water as a weapon of war,” she said.
Ms. Mohammed joined other water experts, development professionals, policy-makers and stakeholders at the just-concluded week-long meeting in Stockholm, which focused on finding ways to better use, and reuse, the world’s increasingly scarce fresh water. Over 3,200 participants from 133 countries attended several hundred sessions, shared experiences, and discussed solutions to the world’s most critical water challenges.
For Ms. Mohammed, the priority is to harness national leadership and global partnership to scale up action. This, she noted, can be achieved only by ensuring the sustainability of fresh water and access to sanitation for all in order to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“Let us value and treasure water as we value and treasure life itself,” Ms. Mohamed said.
With water said to be in short supply, participants at the meeting were united that understanding and recognising the many different values attached to water was the key to more efficient use.
“Water is the lifeline of our civilisation. Without it, there is no hope of sustaining households, industries, food and energy production, or such key functions as hospitals. Access to safe water is necessary in order to implement the global development agenda.
“With increasing scarcity, we must recognise the many values attached to water, be it economic, social, environmental, cultural or religious. I believe that by re-valuing water, we will develop a deeper understanding and respect for this precious resource, and thus be better prepared for more efficient use,” said SIWI’s Executive Director, Torgny Holmgren
Throughout World water week, links were made between the different values of water, including its monetary value. “I believe we will see more diverse pricing structures in the future, allowing for more economical and efficient use,” said Holmgren.
South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, remarked: “We need to embrace new technologies, which support our route towards the realisation of the SDGs and that an appreciation must also be given to new world class technologies emanating from Africa.
“We cannot afford to continue to do what we did yesterday and expect to see a different result tomorrow. We must be bold,” said Mokonyane.
Mark Watts from C40, an organisation that gathers mayors of cities worldwide, told participants about the risks that big cities face from climate change and how water is key to mitigation and adaptation efforts.
“We see that water pattern disruption is often the first sign of serious climate impacts and 70 per cent of our member cities tell us that they are already seeing the significant and negative impacts of climate change. Sixty-four per cent of our member cities face significant risk from surface and flash floods,” Watts said, adding that water must be part of the climate mitigation programmes, but also a central part of climate adaptation.
Hungarian President János Áder, who addressed the event, said the world needs a more focused global effort towards tackling water challenges.
During event, Stockholm Junior Water Prize was awarded to Ryan Thorpe and Rachel Chang, USA, for their novel approach to detect and purify water contaminated with Shigella, E. coli, Salmonella, and Cholera. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the prize.
The Stockholm Water Prize was awarded to Professor Stephen McCaffrey, USA, for his unparalleled contribution to the evolution and progressive realisation of international water law. The prize was presented by Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, patron of the prize, at a ceremony in Stockholm City Hall.
