World Water Week ended on August 27, sending a strong message: We have many solutions to the water crisis and climate change, but we need political will and sufficient investment. This is what the conference calls on the international community to activate. World Water Week, the world’s leading water event, was held from August 23 to 27 against the dramatic backdrop of unprecedented climate-induced disasters in many parts of the world, which reinforces the importance of the week’s theme of “Building Resilience Faster” . But when the week ended on Friday, it was in a state of cautious optimism. More than 400 conferences this week were co-created with leading international organizations and showcased many solutions, such as water scarcity, climate crisis and poverty. The results will now be used locally by 13,000 participants from 188 countries, but will also be used in other global processes, such as the UN’s upcoming high-level food and energy event.
“World Water Week and events such as the High-Level Dialogue on Energy and the Food System Summit held in late September provide a historic opportunity to reveal the much-needed energy, water, and food revolution so that we can ensure safer energy for all. The future of development, Usha Rao-Monari, Deputy Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said in the closing plenary meeting. In her view, these changes are absolutely necessary, but they can only be achieved through improved water management. Prior to COP26, Cate Lamb, the water leader of the British high-level champion, emphasized the role of water in effective climate action, putting the planet on a path of zero carbon emissions. “At COP26, we hope that more countries will prioritize adaptation issues and turn their risks into flexible water resources investments,” she said, emphasizing the protection of wetlands and forests, reducing energy use, and addressing poor sanitation and waste disposal issues.
The recipient of the Stockholm Water Prize, the world’s most prestigious water award awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during World Water Week also emphasized the role of water in meeting major global challenges. “We don’t have time to solve the water, climate, and biodiversity crises again and again,” said 2021 winner Sandra Postel at the award ceremony on August 25. The organizer, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) executive director Tolny Holmgren promised that World Water Week in 2022 will continue to provide concrete solutions. “Next year’s World Water Week will pay special attention to the value of water. I think this is the key to solving the imminent water crisis and tackling climate change. If we continue to underestimate the value of water, we will not be able to manage it properly. We will pay special attention to those who Intangible water that is vital to our survival, such as groundwater,” he said.
with information from: https://pumps-africa.com/world-water-week-showed-how-the-world-can-solve-the-water-crisis-2/
