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International
Conference on Freshwater, Bonn:
Launch
a World Water Charter
Berlin,
30 November 2001. In the view of the German Advisory Council on
Global Change (WBGU), the International Conference on Freshwater commencing
in Bonn this coming Monday should take steps to launch a "World
Water Charter". The World Summit on Sustainable Development in
September 2002 could then be used to finally adopt the Charter.
The aim of the World Water Charter is to further
and support the sustainable management of freshwater resources by committing
the signatory states to improve their water supply systems. The human
right to a basic supply of clean water should also be secured by interpreting
and applying in appropriate manner the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights. The experts on the Council also call for
competitive elements in water resource management to be fostered.
Many
regions overexploit their water resources
Timely
action is more necessary than ever before. In many regions of the world,
more water is consumed by irrigated agriculture, industrialisation and
urbanisation than can be replenished. In its Annual Report entitled
"Ways to Sustainable Management of Freshwater Resources",
the WBGU showed, for example. that water withdrawals by industry will
treble over the next 30 years. Agriculture, the biggest consumer of
water worldwide, will need around 18% more water than at present. A
substantial increase in household water consumption, especially in Africa
and Asia, is also forecast.
Please direct your queries to:
WBGU Secretariat
Reichpietschufer 60-62, 8th Floor
D-10785 Berlin
Germany
Tel. +49 30 263948 12
Fax +49 30 263948 50
Email: wbgu@wbgu.de
All press releases and reports can be
downloaded at http://www.wbgu.de.
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