Fourth World Water Forum

Abstract

The program of the fourth World Water Forum was very extensive; there were 4-5 parallel sessions going on most of the time. Therefore, I do not attempt to make a comprehensive summary of the content. Instead, I try to put forward some messages, which I feel to be important for the water sector in coming years. In the opening session, the crucial role of water for development in general was emphasized several times. Solving water problems contributes to most Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as poverty and hunger reduction, health, agriculture and equality, sustainable development and education. Water management planning should be one element in poverty reduction programs and sustainable development strategies. However, financing remains a major obstacle. In order to reach the MDGs, far higher investments than currently are needed. In particular Africa is lagging behind: doubling investments is therefore necessary to fulfill the commitments made in Johannesburg. Unfortunately, the donor countries do not prioritize water projects. According to the World Bank, new initiatives can only be taken onboard if money is taken away from some older ones, this despite the fact that according to the World Health Organization (WHO) investing in water supply and sanitation pays back 30-fold. Investments would be reflected in improved economic growth and reduced malnutrition. According to their data malnutrition is not so much a result of lack of food, but of diarrhea which prevents food from being digested. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) was one of the central themes in the Forum. During the day devoted to IWRM, over 40 official events as well as many side events were organized. The numerous examples given showed that IWRM can be implemented in many