From Marrakech through The Hague to Kyoto: Has the Global Debate on Water Reached a Dead End?

Abstract

Although the first World Water Forum was held in 1997, realization by the world community of the vast array of problems facing the water sector dates back to the seventies. Indeed, the Mar del Plata Water Conference that was held in 1977 can be considered the first world water forum. Since that time, a series of international conferences, including the three world water forums that were held in Marrakech, The Hague, and Kyoto, have been organized to discuss the existing and emerging water problems. Such conferences and forums have debated the major issues regarding management and development of water resources, and have adopted a number of resolutions, declarations, and action plans. The debate on many of those issues has sharpened in recent years and the resolutions, declarations, and action plans have multiplied. This article discusses the basic elements of the debate and the areas of differences between the various groups, and assesses the efficacy and impact of the resolutions, declarations, and action plans adopted at those conferences. This is the first of a two-part article, the second of which will be published in the next issue of this Journal.