5 1. Summary Introduction

9 2. Istanbul Declaration of Headsof States on Water

11 3. Istanbul Ministerial Statement

15 4. Istanbul Water Guide

33 5. Ministerial Roundtable Reports

48 6. Parliamentarians for Water Statement & Helpdesk document

51 7. Istanbul Water Consensus and list of signatories and champion cities

59 8. Thematic Outcomes,based on a collection of commitments,initiatives and proposals

67 9. Regional Outcomes

103 10. Children’s Declaration

105 11. Youth Declaration

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Water is at the heart of today’s global challenges, including rapid populationgrowth and mass migration, the effects of the financial crisis on infrastructureinvestment and the impacts of climate change and variability on development.The World Water Forum is a key factor in our collective response--as a globalwater community--to addressing these challenges and finding solutions thatwork for the benefit of all. This publication represents a compilation of thecollective action of thousands of participants leading up to and during the 5thWorld Water Forum, held in Istanbul, Turkey, 16-22 March 2009. It will provide a benchmark for continued progress.

Istanbul Declaration of Heads of States on Water

For the first time in the Forum’s history, Heads ofStates/Governments from a number of selected countriesmet and launched a broad-based Appeal for Action, a callthat seeks water security, climate adaptability and interna-tional solidarity through a more strategic use of the world’smost precious resource, water.

Istanbul Ministerial Statement

Distilled from one year of discussions and negotiations, theMinisterial Statement was adopted by more than 160governmental delegations. It includes many commitments,for example to intensify efforts to achieve MDG targets,implement IWRM and information sharing at the river-basin level and prevent and respond to water-related disasters.In addition, it also encourages appropriate infrastructure,better scientific research, education, technologies and useof financial resources, while emphasizing the need to shareexperiences and best practices.

Istanbul Water Guide

An accompaniment to the Ministerial Statement, the IstanbulWater Guide lists 140 recommendations for concrete

action to be implemented to improve water security andmanagement at all levels. It was inspired by about 30international declarations and was developed with thecontributions of thematic and regional coordinators andrepresentatives of major groups.

Ministerial Roundtable Reports

Eight ministerial roundtable discussions were organizedwith a variety of stakeholders on 21 March 2009 in Istanbul,the outcomes of which independently mirrored those of thethematic process. The roundtable subjects covered water-related disasters, water and climate, financing, coastalzones, sanitation, water and energy, Africa, and water forfood and poverty eradication.

Parliamentarians for Water Statement & Helpdeskdocument

The 5th World Water Forum gathered an unprecedentedassembly of 263 Parliamentarians from 57 countries.Following discussions around four central themes, the Parliamentarians drafted a statement and launched the ideaof a permanent international Parliamentary “Helpdesk” toaid political cooperation on water legislation and its implementation.

Outcomes of the5th World Water ForumI s tanbul 2009

Istanbul Water Consensus and list of signatories and champion cities

In Istanbul, 250 Local and Regional Authorities from 43 countries presented theIstanbul Water Consensus (IWC), a new compact for Local and RegionalAuthorities. In Istanbul, 58 signatories commited to prepare action plans toanalyse and cope with the challenges they are facing and to report on theirprogress at the next World Water Forum. Since the Forum, over two hundredadditional signatories have joined the ranks, and the list will continue to grow,fueled by the efforts of 10 major “champion cities.”its implementation.

Thematic Outcomes

This chapter is based on a collection of commitments, initiatives and proposalsspanning over 100 sessions. One recurring message was that progress can onlybe achieved through an interdisciplinary approach, both at the international andnational levels, due to the interrelatedness of water issues across so many different sectors. There is therefore a need to reinforce the preliminary linkagesmade at the 5th World Water Forum and continue to think “out of the box.”In addition, education, capacity development and financial support need to be enhanced in virtually every domain to support further progress. Finally,solutions must be sustainable and flexibly adapted to specific local or regionalcircumstances: no “one size fits all” approach can be applied to water management.

Regional Outcomes

This compilation of seven regional processes presents many importantstatements taking into account regional specificities, in both thematic andpolitical arenas. These processes were important catalysts for mobilizingstakeholders, promoting cooperation and impacting political action in theirregions. Organisers and participants committed to organize regional preparatoryfora in the future to support continued progress on water issues in local contexts.

Children’s Declaration

Held just prior to the Forum, the Children’s Forum welcomed 135 children from21 countries who discussed and agreed on the Children’s Declaration.

Youth Declaration

An assembly of over 200 young people from all over the world, the Youth Forumencouraged youth to become vectors of that much needed change for the better.The Youth Declaration that they produced was read during the Forum’s closing.

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WATERW

e, the Heads of States, Governments andInternational Organizations, gathered in Istanbulon 16 March 2009 on the occasion of the 5thWorld Water Forum, under the theme "Bridging

Divides for Water", appeal to all national governments,international organizations and other stakeholders to generate acommon vision and framework to develop and manage waterresources in a sustainable manner and to guarantee access to safewater and sanitation for all.

Water sustains human life and the environment; it connects people,cultures and economies. Water is indispensable for all economicand social development, food security, and ending poverty andhunger. It is also essential to achieve the Millennium DevelopmentGoals and other internationally agreed development goals.

The world is facing major global changes, such as rapid populationgrowth, migration, uncontrolled and unhealthy urbanization,land-use changes, economic expansion, changes in trade patterns,climate change, which have a direct negative impact on waterresources. These global changes are seriously threatening wateravailability and quality and encourage overextraction. The recenteconomic and financial crisis also must be acknowledged and itsconsequences on integrated water resources management andservices urgently need to be evaluated.

Water also has a power to destroy lives and livelihoods as hasbeen experienced through floods, hurricanes and droughts, andclimate change is expected to exacerbate these already disastrousevents.

Water resources cannot be managed without appropriate capacityand properly designed and maintained infrastructure. Thus,investment in these areas should be given the highest priority.

Many decisions taken at all levels of government both influenceand depend significantly on water. Yet this connection is rarelyrecognized and much less acted upon.

Therefore, we urgently need new policies, adaptation strategies,institutional reforms with the effective contribution of localelected administrations and water users, international commitments,financial mechanisms, technology and innovation in order toaddress global water issues and adapt water managementstrategies to the global changes.

We affirm our political will to take rapid action bearing in mindthe key elements of success: Solidarity, security, adaptabilityand useful dialogue and cooperation on transboundary watersbetween neighbours. Working together with a participatory, inter-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach to manage waterresources, the world can and will attain greater prosperity andincreased stability through the sharing of the many benefits of water.

To achieve this, we call on all nations to join efforts in order todevelop a global framework for addressing the world’s waterissues and to implement tools that will help us accomplishsolidarity, security and adaptability.

We, the Heads of States, Governments and InternationalOrganizations gathered in Istanbul, pledge to create a moresustainable and water safe world in the 21st Century and, in thiscontext, appeal to everyone to join us in meeting this challenge. ■

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16 March 2009

HEADSOF STATE

DECLARATION Outcomes of the5th World Water ForumI s tanbul 2009

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ISTANBULMINISTERIAL STATEMENT

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We the Ministers and Heads of Delegations assembledin Istanbul, Turkey, on 20-22 March 2009 on theoccasion of the 5th World Water Forum,‘Bridging Divides for Water’, are determined to

address the global challenges related to water within the contextof sustainable development. We, therefore:

Reaffirm the prior commitments made by national governmentsto achieve the internationally agreed upon goals on water andsanitation, including those in Agenda 21 and the JohannesburgPlan of Implementation, and acknowledge the decisions of theUnited Nations Commission on Sustainable Development(UNCSD), the multilateral agreements relevant to water, wateruse, sanitation and health.

Recognize the need to achieve water security. To this end it is vitalto increase adaptation of water management to all global changesand improve cooperation at all levels.

Recognize that the world is facing rapid and unprecedentedglobal changes, including population growth, migration,urbanization, climate change, desertification, drought, degradationand land use, economic and diet changes.

Recognize, in particular, the specific challenges facing differentparts of the world, especially Africa, in meeting the MDGs andattaining an acceptable level of water security for socio-economicdevelopment.

Therefore, we the Ministers and Heads of Delegations, present atthe Ministerial Conference of the 5th World Water Forum, sharethe view on the following:

1.We will intensify our efforts to reach internationally agreedupon goals such as the MDGs and to improve access to safe andclean water, sanitation, hygiene and healthy ecosystems in theshortest possible time through appropriate policies andadequate financial resources at all levels.

2.We will further support the implementation of integratedwater resources management (IWRM) at the level of river basin,watershed and groundwater systems, within each country, and,where appropriate, through international cooperation to meeteconomic, social and environmental demands equitably, inter aliato address the impact of global changes, taking into account theinterests of all stakeholders, using a participatory process indecision making and planning while creating better links betweenrelevant sectors to achieve solutions that benefit all parties.

3.We endeavour to improve water demand management,productivity and efficiency of water use for agriculture including,where appropriate, building irrigation networks and also improverain-fed agriculture to increase crop productivity and conservewater with a view to achieving sustainable production of sufficientfood for rapidly increasing populations, and changing consumptionpatterns, improving living standards, especially in rural areas,and ending poverty and hunger consistent and in harmony withinternationally agreed development goals and other relevantinternational obligations/agreements.

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STATEMENTOutcomes of the5th World Water ForumI s tanbul 2009

4. We support country-led development projects in different sectors related to water,especially with regard to energy and food security and poverty eradication. We will workto build new and maintain, strengthen and improve existing infrastructure for multiplepurposes including water storage, irrigation, energy production, navigation and disasterprevention and preparedness that are economically sound, environmentally sustainableand socially equitable.

5. We will strengthen our understanding of the impacts of global changes on waterresources, natural hydrological processes and ecosystems. We will work to preserveenvironmental flows, increase the resilience of and restore degraded ecosystems, takingadvantage of new mechanisms as well as partnerships with foresters to enhance water-related forest services.

6. We will strengthen the prevention of pollution from all sectors in surface and ground-water, appropriately applying the polluter pays principle, while further developing andimplementing wastewater collection, treatment and reuse.

7. We will consider the need of water-short areas to invest in desalination and wastewatertreatment for reuse and provide technological support and know-how to make themsustainable and affordable.

8. We will respect international law providing protection for water resources, waterinfrastructure and the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its furtherdevelopment, as necessary.

9. We resolve to develop, implement and further strengthen transnational, national and/orsub-national plans and programmes to anticipate and address the possible impacts ofglobal changes. Assessments of varying hydrological conditions, extreme water eventsand the shape and functionality of existing infrastructure are essential in this context.Investment efforts to establish necessary infrastructure, to increase storage and drainagecapacity in particular, needs to be scaled up, taking into account water efficiency.

10. We resolve to work to prevent and respond to natural and human-induced disasters,including floods and droughts. We resolve to proceed, where possible, from crisismanagement to disaster preparedness and prevention of human-induced disastersand risk management by developing early warning systems, implementing structural andnonstructural measures, both for water resources and access to water and sanitation,and building capacity at all levels. We resolve to also take necessary post-disastermitigation and rehabilitation measures for affected people and hydrological systems.

11. We will strive to improve water-related monitoring systems and ensure that usefulinformation is made freely available to all concerned populations, including neighbouringcountries.

12. We will clarify at all levels, as appropriate, the roles, rights and responsibilities of allactors and promote cross-cutting coordination and policies, in particular to provide peoplewith access to water and sanitation as a key to achieve sustainable development whilemaintaining responsibility in line with social considerations, with national governmentsand local authorities, and support various forms of partnerships.

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13. To improve at the national level the governance of the water sector, we will, as appropriate, aim to:

a) Promote institutional water management reform,

b) Strengthen water sector laws and regulatory frameworks, increase politicaland administrative accountability for their implementation, and ensure theireffective enforcement,

c) Prevent corruption and increase integrity in implementing water-relatedpolicies, plans and practices,

d) Ensure transparency in decision making processes,

e) Strengthen public participation from all water stakeholders.

14. We will support scientific research, education, development and adoption of newtechnologies and broadening of technological choices in the field of water and promotetheir utilization towards sustainable use and management of water resources and toincrease the adaptive capacities and resiliency of societies. We will make efforts topromote international cooperation in the development, application and diffusion,including dissemination of technologies, practices and processes in water issues, as wellas in scientific, technological, socio-economic and other research, towards improvinguniversal access to water and sanitation.

15. We acknowledge the discussions within the UN system regarding human rights andaccess to safe drinking water and sanitation. We recognize that access to safe drinkingwater and sanitation is a basic human need.

16. We will take, as appropriate, concrete and tangible steps to improve and promotecooperation on sustainable use and protection of transboundary water resources throughcoordinated action of riparian states, in conformity with existing agreements and/or otherrelevant arrangements, taking into account the interests of all riparian states concerned.We will work to strengthen existing institutions and develop new ones, as appropriate and ifneeded, and implement instruments for improved management of transboundary waters.

17. We invite international organizations and institutions to support international effortsto enhance the dissemination of experiences and sharing of best practices on sustainablewater resources rehabilitation, protection, conservation, management and utilization.

18. We strive to prioritize water and sanitation in national development plans and strategies;develop local and national/regional water management plans; allocate adequate budgetaryresources to water management and sanitation service provision; to lead donor coordinationprocesses, and create an enabling environment for water and sanitation investments.We strive to mobilize resources from all sources, including public and private.

19. We will promote effective use of financial resources from all sources, includingencouraging international financial institutions, development partners and beneficiarycountries to increase support for water management, water supply and sanitation.We also will resolve to support more effective and diversified support, credit and financialmanagement systems that are easily accessible and affordable.

20. Acknowledging that new and adequate resources are needed to achieve the MDGs,we call upon the international community, development partners and private sources offinancingto invest resources to complement the efforts made by developing countriesand countries with economies in transition, to develop sustainable water resourcesmanagement and to build the infrastructure base for a sustained socio-economic growth,especially in Africa and least developed countries.

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21. We acknowledge the need of fair, equitable and sustainable cost recovery strategiesand we will therefore promote and implement realistic and sustainable financingstrategies for the water sector, especially water supply, good water quality and sanitationsectors. We acknowledge that exclusively economic approaches and tools cannotcapture all social and environmental aspects in cost recovery. Financing strategies shouldbe based on a best possible use and mix of tariffs for all forms of water services,taxes and transfers to cover needs related to infrastructure development and extension,operation and maintenance.

22. We finally acknowledge that water is a cross-cutting issue. Thus, we will communicateour message to those outside of the water sector including the highest political levels.We will make our best efforts to follow this issue in order to develop innovativegovernance, integrated water policy management, legal frameworks, cross-sectoral policies,financing mechanisms and technologies in combination with capacity development.

Therefore, we the Ministers and Heads of Delegations, present at the 5th World WaterForum Ministerial Conference share the view to:

(A) Convey the results of the 5th World Water Forum Ministerial Process to relevantinternational and regional processes,

(B) Challenge ourselves and call upon all stakeholders to take into account this MinisterialStatement and its recommendations to be incorporated, as appropriate, into ournational policies related to water resources management and services and link theseresults to the 6th World Water Forum, and take note of the Istanbul Water Guide andits recommendations.

(C) Continue to work together with Parliaments and Local Authorities, to address waterand sanitation issues in a mutual fashion,

Finally, the Ministers and Heads of Delegations present at the 5th World Water ForumMinisterial Conference would like to:

(D) Thank the Government of Turkey, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the WorldWater Council for their organization of the 5th World Water Forum and the MinisterialConference.

(E) Note with appreciation the participation of National Governments, Regional andInternational Organizations and stakeholder groups in the Ministerial, Regional andThematic Processes of the 5th World Water Forum. ■

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ISTANBULWATER GUIDE

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

THEME I: Global Changes and Risk ManagementElement 1: The Role of Water in Adapting to Climate ChangeElement 2: Water-related Migration, Changing Land Uses,

Human Settlements and WaterElement 3: Managing Risks and Disasters

THEME II: Advancing Human Development and the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs)

Element 1: Ensuring Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All Element 2: Water for Energy, Energy for WaterElement 3: Water and Food for Ending Poverty and Hunger Element 4: Multiple Use and Functions of Water Services

THEME III: Managing and Protecting Water Resources and theirSupply Systems to Meet Human and Environmental Needs

Element 1: Basin management and transboundary water cooperationElement 2: Planning to ensure adequate water resources

and storage infrastructure to meet human and environmental needs

Element 3: Preserving natural ecosystemsElement 4: Managing and protecting surface, ground, rainwater

and soil

THEME IV: Governance and ManagementElement 1: The Right to Water and Sanitation for Improved Access Element 2: Water institutions and water reformsElement 3: Ethics, Transparency and Empowerment of Stakeholders Element 4: Optimizing Public and Private Roles in Water Services

THEME V: FinanceElement 1: Sustainable Financing in the Water SectorElement 2: Cost Recovery Strategies as a Tool for a Sustainable

Water SectorElement 3: Pro-poor Financing Policies and Strategies

THEME VI: Education, Knowledge and Capacity DevelopmentElement 1: Education, Knowledge and Capacity DevelopmentElement 2: Water Science and Technology -

Appropriate and Innovative SolutionsElement 3: Professional Associations and NetworksElement 4: Access to DataElement 5: Water and Culture

ANNEX I: Contributing Documents

Table of Contents

ISTANBULWATER GUIDE

Outcomes of the5th World Water ForumI s tanbul 2009

BACKGROUNDThe Ministerial Declarations of

the past World Water Fora have beenimportant contributions in layingdown the world's priorities concerningwater resources and services. Yet,water-related problems still persist,and are even becoming more significantas a result of global changes affecting,in particular, the economy, the demo-graphy and the state of naturalresources. There is thus a need toaccelerate action by all actors to makeprogress towards creating a water-safeenvironment for the world's citizens.

The goal of the Istanbul WaterGuide is to go beyond those statementsand create an agenda for action bynational governments in partnershipwith stakeholders to address the criticalareas of water resources management,governance and finance.

The Is tanbul Water Guiderepresents recommendations fromexperts from throughout the world andis not intended to be a binding documentfor governments but has two majorobjectives:

• To help and guide governmentsto adjust their priorities and actions plans according to the difficulties they face; and

• To inform relevant intergovern-mental processes of the resultsof the 5th World Water Forum Ministerial Process.

In the context of this 5th WorldWater Forum Ministerial Process, theterm "Global Changes" is referred toas including, but not limited to popu-lation growth, migration, urbanization,climate change and land-use,consumption and economic changes,and therefore increasing pressures onnatural resources and ecosystems.

The Istanbul Water Guide isconfigured to "mirror" the ThematicProgramme of the 5th World WaterForum to make the connectionbetween the technical side of theForum and the political, "BridgingDivides for Water", the over-archingtheme of the 5th World Water Forum.Contributions were made directly bythe Thematic, Topic and RegionalCoordinators of the 5th World WaterForum and other significant interna-tional meetings and Regional Summitsand consolidated into a single textwhich outlines the issues the worldis facing with regards to water andsanitation as well as objectives toaddress those issues.

THE PROBLEMThe world is facing changes at a

faster rate than ever seen before. Thesechanges such as population growth,migration, urbanization, land-usechanges and climate variability/change will drive the way in whichwater resources need to be managed inthe future. They also call for concretecontributions from water policies andactions to help the world cope withthese changes. While climate changehas been the most talked about topic,other changes taking place will likelyaffect water resources and services andtheir management to a much greater

degree. The population of the planet isestimated to increase by 50%, meaning3 billion additional inhabitants, by2050. More than half of the world'spopulation now lives in cities, and thisincreasing urbanization is set to continue.Population will continue to increase aswill rural-urban migration, addingdifficulty to reach the agreed MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) on accessto water and sanitation and increasingpollution at the same time. The demand,and probably prices, of naturalresources and energy will increase asthe planet's inhabitants grow in numberand consumption increases. Humansare altering global systems at a rate notpreviously experienced. These drivers,and the constraints that limit the abilityto adapt to them, affect the developedand developing world in differentways.

Critical issues have recently beenthe focus of politicians and mediaalike. Oil prices, food prices, globaleconomic turbulence and water-relateddisasters feature high on the list. Whatthe world is not talking about is howthese are related to, impact on and areaffected by water. There is an inextri-cable link between all of these issuesand water yet the connection is notbeing made at a higher level, whichendangers not only water resourcesand ecosystems, but humans and theirlivelihoods as well. It is not wellunderstood within political arenas thatwater resources are among the importantfactors that drive the current changes,affecting nations as well as local communities. This adds to the alreadyhigh impact of polluted water affectingbillions of people as well as ecosystems.With the onset of global changes, theworld must confront these issuesurgently so as not to let both lives andeconomic well-being slip through ourfingers.

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ISTANBULWATER GUIDE1

1 This Istanbul Water Guide was prepared through a series of Preparatory Committee Meetings (PrepComs) with the attendance of representatives of national governments as well as majorand stakeholder groups and the Thematic and Regional Coordinators of the 5th World Water Forum. This document is based on the broad views of the participants of the PrepCom seriesand the outcomes and recommendations of a number of technical and political meetings, such as symposia, conferences, summits and regional water fora held until early 2009 (see list inAnnex 1).

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These messages have to be takento those outside of the "water box",which include the highest politicallevels. The cross-cutting nature of thewater sector makes it an importantresource for other interests. Often,decisions affecting water are not in thehands of water professionals but in thehands of decision makers in relatedsectors. The water sector must helpinform these decision makers in orderfor them to make more sound choicesabout how they utilize water in theiractivities.

Throughout history, water actionshave been societies' main activity toadapt to changes in climate andnature. They have been the means bywhich decision makers create ways toavoid social disruption and violenceunder the shock of events with toomuch or too little water. The 5th WorldWater Forum offers the opportunity tohelp create a framework for assistingnations and communities to mitigatefor and adapt to those global changesin a sustainable way. The situation hasalready been critical for decades, but

national and local governmentsare not prepared for the changesthat will occur, potentially making a worse situation. Letus set the agenda now while we havethe opportunity.

Element 1: The Role of Waterin Adapting to Climate Change

Think outside the "water box".Climate change/variability affects notonly the hydrological cycle, but areasthat are closely related to water, forestand land. An integrated approach toadapt to these changes through bettermanagement of space, land and wateras media for mitigation, adaptationand disaster preparedness and toensure food security, energy security,economic development, environmentalprotection and equity is required.Water is more affected by food, energyand other policies than by water policiesthemselves. It is recommended thatthe water community finds ways tohelp politicians and experts of othersectors to understand these broadenedperspectives and their implications forpolicies. It is also recommended thatnational governments, includingministries of agriculture, forestry,interior, public works, industry, finance,energy, health, education and othersectors "outside the water box", take

into consideration the impacts of theirpolicy choices on the hydrological cyclethat affects rural, populated and urbanareas. The strategic impact assessmentis a tool that can add value withthinking "outside the water box" forthe development of high level policiesand identification of hot spots.

Develop national and/or sub-national water-related adaptationstrategies. National and sub-nationalstrategies need to be developed foradaptation to climate change/variabilitytaking into account internationaladaptation programmes. These need tobe integrated in existing and nationalIWRM plans and strategies. Assess-ments of needed infrastructure foradaptation should be carried out andthen required infrastructure plannedand financed. Adequate approaches,such as climate-friendly small-scaletechnologies, besides large-scaleinfrastructure should be taken intoconsideration, not only because ofpotential impacts, but also the longtime frame for construction. Water can

be seen not only as part of theproblem, but part of the solution withregards to climate change. Groundwatercarries a buffering capacity againstclimate change; therefore sustainablegroundwater management, desalinationand wastewater treatment should bepart of the national strategies. Hydropower development and inlandnavigation needs to be revisited anddeveloped as an adaptation measure.Non-structural adaptation measuressuch as spatial planning, ecosystemprotection, social concerns, communi-cation, awareness-raising and riskmanagement plans are essential.Support rural areas as they are thefoundation of agriculture and areextremely sensitive to global changes.Projections of climate change impactsshould be developed at a smaller scaleand localized to provide relevantinformation to policy makers andwater managers responsible formajor urban areas. The importanceof collection and dissemination ofclimate and hydrological informationis stressed.

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Apply the IWRM approachto address adaptation toclimate change. The impact ofclimate change on the water

cycle should be assessed and communi-cated. Capacity development to supportbetter management of water resources atall levels, national, regional and local,including river basin organizations(RBOs) should be supported to build resilience to climate change. Applicationof the IWRM approach will balance socialand economic impacts, minimise environ-mental impacts and preserve ecosystems.

Identify the countries andcommunities that are most vulnera-ble to the hydrological impacts ofclimate change. Areas identified bythe IPCC as most vulnerable to theimpacts of climate change includethe least developed countries andsmall island developing States (SIDS),low lying densely populated coastalareas, areas affected by glacier melt,and arid areas with fragile populations,economies and environments. Interna-tional efforts to identify "hot spots"and make accessible operational toolsto further identify areas and groupsthat are at highest risks from thehydrological impacts of climatechange should be scaled up. StrategicEnvironmental Assessments can helpidentifying vulnerable locations andsystems, to be followed by factoringin climate proofing into water resourcesmanagement and water services.

Design infrastructure projects tobetter manage hydrologic variability,including the likely effects of climatechange. Infrastructure projects shouldanticipate the likely affects of climatechange as well as hydrological variations.Infrastructure should be redesignedand re-engineered as necessary towithstand extreme events and to performunder changed circumstances.

Develop long-term scenarios andstrategies for action in all planningactivities. To cope with the impactsof increasing climate variability andclimate change on water and livelihoods,

including the uncertainties, a longer-term horizon is required for communitydevelopment and involvement andlarge infrastructural investments,beyond the planning horizon adoptedby the Millennium DevelopmentGoals (2015).

Incorporate climate changeassessments in National Plansrelated to water. At the national level,integrate an assessment of climatechange impacts into National WaterPlans and create adaptation measuresin line with those impacts for sustainablewater security in social, environmentaland economic needs.

Close the financial gap foradaptation. While it is a nation's responsibility to finance their nationalwater management programmes,climate change may add additionalchallenges within the overall develop-ment/sustainability agenda, resultingin the need of additional externalfinancial resources for developingcountries to implement adaptationmeasures. While recognizing thatseveral financial initiatives are beinglaunched recently on mitigation andadaptation, the additional needscannot be met with the present(inter)national adaptation fundinginstruments alone.

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Element 2: Water-relatedMigration, Changing Land Uses,Human Settlements and Water

Improve the knowledge base onthe change of water-related popula-tion dynamics. As the window foridentifying appropriate adaptationpathways to global changes narrows,it is imperative to address how changingclimatic and environmental conditionsaffect individual and group decisionsto migrate. Assemble data and relevantscientific information on the subject ispertinent in order to develop strategiesto manage migration. Understand thedynamics of agricultural development

that is related to population dynamicsespecially between rural areas andurban areas in developing countries.

Strengthen institutions andpolicies, which bolster resilience inpopulations. Policies are needed,which strengthen resilience, systema-tically reduce incentives that driveenvironmental degradation, improvelivelihood opportunities and provideenhanced risk management capacity.These policies should include inputfrom all major groups/stakeholdersand address cultural and genderconcerns as to strengthen civil societyand major group roles.

Increase awareness about theimpact of environmental degradation.Knowledge about degradation ofwater resources and climate changecan guide governments, migrants, andpotential migrants to take necessaryprecautions for the safety of populations.

Develop sound monitoringsystems. Take stock of and improveexisting monitoring systems anddevelop new and innovative ones.

Improve legal frameworks.Include environmentally induced migrants, environmentally displacedpeople and internally displacedpopulations due to water related effectswithin international legal instruments.Improve the existing internationallegal instruments to protect the rightsof displaced individuals and/orcommunities.

Provide adequate humanitarianresponse. Environmental changes andarmed conflict may result in substantialhuman movements, which will requireadequate humanitarian efforts to avoidescalating tensions. Natural disastersand armed conflict will displace largenumbers of people temporarily, whilethe steady and continuous impact ofclimatic stressors will permanentlydisplace many more people overan extended period. In the face ofenvironmental stress, assistance must

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be in place to prevent crisis and maintainpeace among resource-stressed andpossibly poverty stricken groups onthe move as well as assess impacts ofsanitation and waste creation of thosemigrating and address them.

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Element 3: Managing Risksand Disasters

Assess the risks and possibleconsequences of water-relateddisasters. Water-related natural disasters,namely droughts and floods, are theprimary killers, and heavily affectmillions of people, especially amongthe poorest. These disasters are seriousimpediments to sustainable developmentand poverty reduction. Huge economiclosses can also be ascribed to water-related disasters, including massiveimpacts to infrastructure, shelter,health and food production. Theinfluence of climate variability/changewith the likely increased frequency ofdroughts and floods will increase thevulnerability of populations. Demogra-phic changes, urbanization, migrationand lack of adequate infrastructure arealso putting higher numbers of peopleat risk than ever before. Therefore,assessment of the risks and possiblenegative consequences of water-relateddisasters encountered by global changes

should be comprehensively studiedand understood.

Integrate water-related DisasterRisk Reduction into national deve-lopment plans and finance. Withinthis remark, it must be recognized thatadaptation to climate change musttake on a high priority for nationalgovernments while establishing nationaland local goals targets for water-relatedDisaster Risk Reduction. Internationaland regional strategies and actionplans also need afforded priority,especially in cases of transboundaryrisks. Public and private investment ininfrastructure, non-structural measuresand human resources are needed withsafety of populations as a priority.

Increase preparedness level ofafflicted populations. Through the useof raising public awareness, increasingthe human capacities of nations, fromlocal to national levels, to confrontwater-related disasters, the strengtheningand development of early warningsystems considering vulnerable areasand groups of people, and the creationpreparedness indices, to make nationsmore prepared to confront water-relateddisasters.

Institute risk managementplans/measures. Shift from crisismanagement to risk management.

Assist rural areas and citiesin instituting structural andnon-structural risk manage-ment plans/measures to reducedamage from water-related disasters.National governments should ensurethat urban centres develop and enforceappropriate spatial planning andbylaws that reduce risks of water-relateddisasters that take into account thevarious impacts on different majorgroups.

Protect the access to drinkingwater and sanitation services duringand after disaster and in situationsof armed conflict and occupation.All parties to the conflict must respectInternational Humanitarian Lawprotecting objects that are indispensableto the survival of civilian population,such as drinking water installationsand supplies and irrigation works. Humanitarian response to the civilianpopulation in general, to women andchildren, elderly, refugees, sick andwounded in particular must be grantedaiming at re-establishing or upgradingdrinking water and sanitation installa-tions and supplies disrupted by thedisasters or the direct or indirect effectsof armed conflict and/or occupation.Combine measures and efforts to preventany appearance and spread of water-related diseases.

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Element 1: Ensuring Water,Sanitation and Hygiene for All

Develop national and sub-national plans of action. Each countryshould develop national and sub-national plans of action, along withappropriate policies, outlining the

necessary actions in order to expandaccess to water and sanitation. Suchplans need to include aspects relatedto appropriate sanitation technologies,wastewater collection and treatmentand be tailored to the economic, socialand environmental conditions andneeds. The plans need to specify short-

medium- and long-term targets andtimelines, going beyond the MDGand Johannesburg Programme ofImplementation targets. National andsub-national plans should take intoaccount preservation of all ecosystemservices. The requirements of under-served urban and rural populations,

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residents of arid and semi-aridareas and informal settlements,should be addressed appro-priately in the development of

these plans, while incorporating indige-nous knowledge, women's and children'sknowledge and needs and give specificattention to vulnerable groups. Priorityshould be given to schools, healthcentres, public centres and emergencypreparedness. Identify one accountableinstitution to takes clear leadership ofthe national sanitation portfolio andestablish one coordinating body withspecific responsibility for sanitationand hygiene that would work inconjunction with the health andeducation sectors.

Improve monitoring of accessto sanitation and water. Monitoring,based on data provided by nationalgovernments, of access to safe and cleanwater and sanitation is essential. Exis-ting WHO-UNICEF Joint MonitoringProgrammes should be furthersupported and expanded to includeadditional indicators, including genderand age-segregated data, such asconnection to sewerage networks andwastewater treatment, to measureglobal progress towards meeting theinternationally agreed upon goalson water and sanitation. Developmonitoring of the quality of water,the continuity of water supply, handwashing programmes and segregatedsanitation facilities in schools andhealth centres. At national level,analyse the discrepancies between thevarious national datasets describingthe types of access to water andsanitation in order to strengthen thebase and the monitoring of nationalpolicies.

Build cross-cutting local, regionaland international partnerships.Increase the efforts and means ofgovernments (local, regional andnational), water operators, civil society,NGOs, water users and the privatesector to partner together to assumeand share the costs, risks, results andimpacts of investment in water,

sanitation and hygiene. Strengthenlocal water services through WaterOperators Partnerships (WOPs).Establish regional, North-South,South-South North-South-South part-nerships to build capacity, exchangebest practices, transfer knowledge,strengthen local cooperation andfinance projects.

Mobilise resources for water,sanitation and hygiene. Developsustainable financing strategies to enableimplementation of national and sub-national action plans for water andsanitation. National governments areresponsible for defining appropriatebudgetary allocations to water, sanitationand hygiene. Authorities responsiblefor delivering water and sanitationservices should implement sustainablecost recovery through a mix of tariffs,taxes and transfers, including OfficialDevelopment Assistance. Contributionsfrom international financing institutionsand development partners shouldrespond to demands expressed byrecipient countries.

Build capacity in water, sanitationand hygiene. Mobilise more technicalresources and build institutional,technical, managerial and planningcapacity at all levels, but especially atthe local level.

Use appropriate, acceptable andeconomically available technology.With the full participation of commu-nities, design, implement and evaluatesustainable technical solutions towater and sanitation problems usingappropriate, innovative, and economi-cally available as well as indigenoustechnologies.

Raise awareness on sanitationand hygiene. Inform both the publicand decision makers on the benefits ofwater, sanitation and hygiene to theeconomy, health and the environmentand make them aware of the sense ofurgency of the issue. Promote andmake available sustainable, affordableand appropriate technologies to the

poor and disadvantaged. Use modernapproaches such as community-ledtotal sanitation, marketing for behaviourchange, educational programs to changebehaviour towards water, sanitationand hygiene. In addition, using suchstrategic processes as Poverty ReductionStrategy Papers, raise the profileof water, sanitation and hygiene sodevelopment agencies take more robustaction towards meeting the needs ofthose without these services.

Consider the full impact ofsanitation on health, environmentand the economy. Better take intoconsideration the sanitary, environ-mental and economic benefits ofimproved sanitation, in both developingand developed countries. The Interna-tional Year of Sanitation 2008 has raisedawareness about the direct relationbetween poor or lack of sanitation andslow progress against health targets,environmental degradation, lowproductivity and economic activities.

Improve Integrated SanitationManagement. Recognise wastewateras a resource and develop its use,whenever and wherever appropriateand properly controlled. Wastewatermay be used for irrigation and solids,suitably treated, may be used as ferti-lisers and for energy production frombiomass and heat. Integrated SanitationManagement should be considered aspart of IWRM.

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Element 2: Water for Energy,Energy for Water

Improve the knowledge of thewater-energy nexus. There is too littlethought and planning being introducedto the water-energy nexus in mostparts of the world, especially developingcountries. With fluctuating costs, rapiddecisions have to be made about howthese two sectors will be interrelated.It is therefore important to developa good understanding of the water-energy nexus at the local, national,

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regional and international levels asboth water and energy actions place atthe global level all the way down toindividual communities where waterand energy choices take place on theground. Wide participation from relevantstakeholders is necessary from bothsectors to include users and userassociations, professional associations,business and the private sector, regulators,governments, NGOs, scientists, theacademic community and workers andtrade unions, farmers' organizations andcivil society.

Enhance the coordination ofwater and energy policies. Water andenergy policies are rarely well coordi-nated. Increasingly, agencies aretaking a boarder approach to the impactsof water on energy policy and vice-versa. Far better coordination is requiredto establish markets and investmentconditions and regulatory mechanisms,which optimize water and energy useand re use.

Conduct national water energy-food sustainability assessments. Notenough is known about how water,energy and food are inter-related andeven less about how new trends andclimate change will impact the use ofboth resources. It is important toconduct national water and energyresource sustainability assessmentsconsidering agriculture and povertyaspects and through these definesustainable water and energyresources at regional, national andsub-national levels.

Changes in energy pricesshould be addressed in all aspects ofwater management. Energy costswill directly impact water pumpingand transportation costs, which mayhave consequences on water access,especially by the world's poorestpopulations. Sustainable compensationmechanisms by national, regional andlocal governments need to be designedwell in advance, changes in designmay need to be considered andexperiences need to be shared among

countries and water institutions inorder to reduce these impacts. In additionto compensation, options for investingin water conservation, energy efficientpumping and transport mechanismsshould be considered.

Use efficient and appropriatetechnologies in both water andenergy sectors. There is an extraordi-nary amount of technological innovationthat seeks to reduce interrelatedenergy and water footprints in thedelivery of these essential services.Increasing efficiency in energy usein the water sector, irrigation anddesalination in particular, and wateruse in the energy sector is crucial forreducing the footprints of both sectorson the other.

Invest in sustainable andsocially responsible hydropowerand water storage. There is an acutelack of infrastructure in some parts ofthe world for hydropower and storage.Investments in small- and large-scaleinfrastructure need to be made tomake energy production cleaner andgreener while at the same timetake into consideration the possibleadvantages these structures have forwater-related disaster mitigation,inland transportation, agriculture,poverty eradication and other uses.Application and development shouldbe encouraged, as hydropower is aneffective adaptation measure in thecontext of climate change. Dueconcern to minimize social andenvironmental impacts of hydropowershould also be given.

Enhance inland waterbornetransport. Inland waterborne transportis a model of transport that is moreenergy efficient. It is necessary topromote navigational use of water-courses in view of energy conservation,efficient energy utilisation and climatechange mitigation, which contributesto improvement of the water-energynexus.

Conduct more research tobetter evaluate impacts ofbiofuels on water resources.Biofuels may play a significantrole during the 21st Century. Impactassessments, risk and benefit studies onthe production and use of biofuels willcontribute to optimize water use takinginto account aspects of quality, quantityand food production.

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Element 3: Water and Food forEnding Poverty and Hunger

Introduce policies to promotethe "more crop per drop". Increasingthe prevailing low yields - in both rain-fed and irrigated crop land - hasthe largest effect on the reduction ofwater use per kilogram of producedfood. The increase in water use effi-ciency/productivity is mainly causedby reduction of evaporation from thesoil, due to better cover of the plantsand the resulting increased interception.Higher food prices will incentivizeproducing higher yields. Poor farmersgenerally achieve low yields due tolack of resources and technology, andwill especially benefit from support toimprove yield per unit of water.

Promote small-, medium- andlarge-scale agricultural developmentprojects. Governments should promotedevelopment of small-, medium- andlarge-scale, affordable and sustainableinfrastructure and other agriculturalprojects suited to the intendedbeneficiaries and pay due attentionto market access, water cost recoveryissues in agriculture, resilience to andmanaging risks of natural disasters,especially by small-scale farmers, andthe possible effects of climate change.

Scale-up the modernization ofirrigation and drainage systems.Development and modernization ofirrigation and drainage system schemesin the broad sense (technical, managerial,financial and environmental) will berequired at a large-scale to achieve the

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required increase in food pro-duction, eradication of povertyand hunger and protection of theenvironment. Water can then be

saved for other uses or money saved tofurther develop the source of water.Irrigation is not the only means of provi-ding water for agriculture so that morefocus on improving rain-fed agricultureand rain-water harvesting is also needed.

Strengthen and support water-related institutions and associations.Governments, especially in emergingeconomies and least developed countries,accelerate the adoption of participatorymanagement of irrigation/drainageinfrastructure, the formation ofprofessionally oriented farmer/wateruser organizations, enhance legal systemsand support financially irrigation/drainage administration. Strengthenthe transfer and dissemination ofirrigation/drainage technological andmanagement skills from professionalexperts in governments and internationalorganizations to the farmers' irrigation/drainage management organizations;

Understand the changes innutrition and diets in the contextof supply and demand. With theincrease in the standard of living, caloricintake in emerging countries risesalong with the type of food consumed.This has a direct affect on water usedin the production of meat and dairyproducts and crops, which contributemost to the change in diets, are some-times water intensive. Understandingthese trends, especially the importanceof livestock, will help develop with theconservation, re-use and allocation ofwater resources.

Re-engage in the reduction offood losses "from field to fork".Food losses along the production-consumption chain are considerableand equivalent to a great waste ofwater resources mobilized at fieldlevel. This represents by far the greatestlosses in water in agriculture and animalhusbandry. Developing programmes

to reduce these losses on the demandside of the food chain would generatea significant diminution of the waterfootprint per capita and would probablyas well facilitate access to food by thepoorest yet should not take pressureoff the efforts to improve systemefficiency and efficient use of water incities, businesses, power generationand agriculture.

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Element 4: Multiple Use andFunctions of Water Services

Acknowledge the wide-spreadpractice of multiple uses and functionsin water systems. Historically people,communities, and water managers havebeen using man-made delivery systemsor natural water systems deliberately formore than a single use. In many ruraland urban areas, domestic waternetworks are used for small-scaleproductive activities. Similarly, irrigationsystems are often de facto providinglarge amounts of water within theircommand areas that facilitate accessto water for many other uses throughrecharge of surface streams andgroundwater. Lastly aquatic systems(wetlands including rice-based systems)provide many critical productive andecosystem services to nearby popula-tions. Under appropriate stakeholdermanagement processes, the practice ofmultiple uses and functions can proveto be sustainable and very efficient forthe community.

Recognize the multiple benefitsof multiple uses and functions ofwater services including for themost vulnerable users. Multiple usesystems can provide the more vulnerableusers with low cost services for domesticwater, water for agriculture (irrigation,rain fed), homestead, garden, water forcattle, habitats for fish and other aquaticresources and rural enterprise watersupplies. The same infrastructure maybe used for these services as well asfor hydroelectric power and, in somecases, to aid inland waterway navigation.

Multiple use systems consider alsosupport important cultural values andfunctions that are essential for localwell-being and livelihoods and mightprovide ecological benefits which includeflood control, groundwater recharge,water harvesting, water purificationand biodiversity conservation. Diver-sification of water sources and ofproductive activities is instrumental inincreasing local community resilienceand management to global shocks andrisks that may result from climate ormarket crisis.

Recognise the interrelationshipbetween multiple uses, the functionsof water services and integratedwater resources management.Multiple use practices are an inherentelement of the Integrated WaterResource Management (IWRM)approach, which should be strengthened.Management agencies of large irrigationsystems are often the only waterservices providers, notably during dryperiods. Sound governance of thesesystems should be ensured to encompassthe principles of IWRM and torecognize the needs of all stakeholders.

Capitalize on the sustainabilityof multi-services water management.Multi-service water managementprovides the opportunity to increasethe sustainability of water systemmanagement by sharing the operationalcosts and benefits among several usesand users. All water-use sectors needto be taken into consideration. Thechallenge is to move away from asector-silo approach to water systemmanagement and administration.Service oriented management needsto take a broader approach in orderto encompass all realms includingsustainable cost recovery, subsidiesand to work in an integrated way todevelop and manage community waterresources at the local level. It shouldencompass social aspects, women'sand men's priorities and ecosystemservices.

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Develop country visions andpromote local strategies. All stake-holders at the national level shoulddevelop a consistent vision of multipleuse and functions of water, includingdomestic, agricultural, ecosystem andindustrial, with a thorough analysis ofopportunities and constraints. Thisvision and these decisions should be

reviewed continually in the lightof changing circumstances. Localgovernments should be empoweredto overcome sectoral boundaries byintegrating elements of long-termtechnical, financial and cost sharing,and institutional support packagesaccording to the agreed multiple wateruse needs. Municipalities and cities,

irrigation and other water useagencies should consolidateand conserve their waterservices to achieve integrationand coordination of groundwater,surface water, rainwater, wastewater,recycled water and other sources ofwater supply for urban and rural areas.

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Element 1: Basin managementand transboundary water cooperation

Prepare adaptive strategies. Aspotential climate and other globalchanges increase, they will put at riskfood and energy production, social andeconomic welfare, public health that willrequire adaptive strategies to managewater resources, both surface andgroundwater, equitably in light of theagreed principles of international law.There is also currently a weaknessof legal, political and institutionalinfrastructure that is capable of dealingwith the international complexitiesof transboundary water resources whichare related to issues such as nationalsovereignty, security, water rights,population, economy, culture andecosystems.

Improve understanding andstrengthen cooperation in thetransboundary context. Optimalutilization and effective protection ofthe transboundary surface and groundwater resources are only possible ifriparian states cooperate in line withinternationally agreed principles.Transboundary water resources presentan opportunity for collaboration rather

than a source of conflict and a constraintfor development. Nevertheless, thereexists wide diversity of political, social,economic, cultural and environmentalchallenges to confront in addition tothose arising from hydrological factors.Thus, in order to harness sustainablebenefits of transboundary waterresources for all riparian countries,joint efforts need to be made. However,this necessitates first the willingnessto cooperate which can only come outthrough extensive dialogue, mutualtrust and understanding among riparianstates.

Improve the legal and institu-tional framework of transboundarywaters. In the last 50 years, over 200bilateral and multilateral agreementshave been signed on the use of trans-boundary water resources. There areseveral regional and internationalconventions in force related totransboundary waters. They oftenform part of cooperative endeavoursand a basis for the definition ofprinciples and responsibilities that areconsidered in international law. Nationallaws should be established or improvedto reflect these principles with regardsto transboundary waters, whereappropriate, in terms of information

and data exchange and managementand use of transboundary waterresources.

Increase the number of riverand lake basin and groundwaterorganizations, their strength andcapacity. Where river and lake basin,coastal, marine and groundwaterinstitutions or organizations do notexist, they are encouraged to beestablished, especially in the cases oftransboundary river basins and aquifers.River basin organizations promotecooperation, mutual understandingand confidence building, as well asimprove coordination and exchange ofdata and information, set up fact-findingprocedures and support implementationof joint programmes and projects.Where river basin organizations doexist, to strengthen their capacity toconfront the complexities of changingcircumstances, including global changes.

Nations are encouraged to seekfair, equitable and win-win solutionsin negotiations over transboundarywater. All parties are not equal instrength, yet are in equal need to addresswater-related issues for their humanand environmental needs. The solutionfor sustainable and integrated water

THEME III: Managing and Protecting Water Resourcesand their Supply Systems

to Meet Human and Environmental Needs

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management is to pursue equity,economic efficiency and envi-ronmental sustainability whereall parties win, including

stakeholders.

Develop harmonized integratedwater management plans. Waterresources ought to be managed at thebasin level with a holistic approachconsidering their availability and thecompeting demands, including thedemands of ecosystems. Equitable,reasonable and optimal utilization andprotection of transboundary waterresources as well as protection fromwater-related disasters with assessmentand management of flood risks andaccidental pollution is only possible inthis way. Development of long-termmanagement plans at the basin levelare imperative for reflecting the positionand needs of all major stakeholders ofa river basin, including the preparationof contingency plans for mitigatingeffects of accidental pollution. Riparianstates should harmonize both theirwater supply and water demandmanagement plans for the purpose ofmaking the best possible use of waterresources and sustainable water cyclemanagement within the interest of allriparian countries taking into accountPrinciple 2 of the Rio Declaration onEnvironment and Development.

Support the implementationof Integrated Water ResourcesManagement process. Support theimplementation of integrated waterresources management into national andsub-national policies on water resourcesmanagement as well as the managementof surface and groundwater basins.Critically analyze cases of IWRM toshare lessons and encourage replicationof good practices. Ensure stakeholderparticipation in local river basinprocesses and IWRM partnerships.Representation of local governmentsshould be included in local river basinprocesses and IWRM organizations.Cooperation and the inclusion ofprinciples of sustainable developmentand IWRM help promote synergy

and stability at the national and sub-national levels. Promote IWRM at thebasin level, wherever appropriate,and clearly define the roles andresponsibilities of coordinating andcoordinated sides.

Take into account the interestsof stakeholders. In order to managebasins and build sustainable and equi-table agreements when negotiatingover water issues, it is very importantto include all stakeholders and ensurea participatory process. Stakeholderinclusion can reduce the risk of futuredisputes.

Promote cross-border monito-ring and data exchange. Through thesharing of technical knowledge anddata and information exchange andcoupled with joint monitoring/datacollection schemes, nations can workcloser together, build relationships andimprove understanding between oneanother.

Share infrastructure and theirbenefits, and jointly finance. Toincrease the cooperation of nations onone another and find more benefitsthat sometimes may not be readilyapparent, governments should pursue,sharing benefits, jointly financingprojects, seeking also third party-international financing and sharinginfrastructure to meet basic humanneeds and create other benefits such asenergy production, irrigation andtransportation.

Encourage research, educationand training on transboundary watercooperation. Education on waterresources, especially transboundarywaters, is lacking among watermanagers, decision makers and otherstakeholders. Increased opportunitiesfor such training should be providedat different scales, from local tointernational. Develop joint researchprojects to improve collaboration andunderstanding.

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Element 2: Planning to ensureadequate water resources andstorage infrastructure to meethuman and environmentalneeds

Encourage a holistic approachwithin a sustainable developmentframework. Decisions to build infra-structure should be made on the basis ofan assessment of the full range ofoptions available to meet specific needs,based on the principles and approachof IWRM. Storage types have to beadapted to their purposes in size, fromsmall- to large-scale, and type (waterharvesting, small dams, large dams,desalination, and surface and ground-water management). Recognize thevalue of soil, groundwater, surfacewater, wetlands, snowpack and foodstocks as storage.

Develop frameworks andapproaches to determine andprioritize needs. The biggest difficultyof decision makers is to arbitratebetween often competing needs. Takeinto consideration spatial planning,protection of natural resources andecosystems, social priorities, particu-larly protecting and improving humanhealth, and adaptation to climatechange when determining water needs.Supporting developing countries in theirchoices by taking account of theirunique situations and learning fromthe experiences of their peers wouldbe very helpful.

Expand storage and integratedownstream infrastructure indeve-loping countries. In many regions ofthe world, storage infrastructure forsurface water and natural and artificialrecharge of groundwater is laggingbehind and therefore putting at risk thepopulations that depend on water forirrigation as well as protecting themfrom floods. In particular the needs ofAfrica must be addressed in thecontext of lack of infrastructure. Thisexpansion is justified by storage infra-structure's contributions to economicand social development, but must be

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carried out without compromisingenvironmental integrity, social justiceand international law.

Integrate social and ecologicalsustainability. Within the frameworkof IWRM, social and ecologicalsustainability should be integrated intostorage infrastructure projects with aparticular focus on building overallwater resilience from the local level toregional river basin scales. This willrequire a holistic approach concentratingon water to sustain economic sectorssuch as energy, agriculture, industryand water supply systems, as well aswater to sustain other ecosystemservices such as carbon sinks andbiodiversity for water flow regulation,which are key for water partitioningand long-term human well-being.

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Element 3: Preserving naturalecosystems

Promote ecological corridorsand networks. In view of globalchanges including climate change, it iscritical to strengthen the resilience ofecosystems for change by reducingand/or undoing their fragmentation, bypromoting ecological corridors such aswetlands and forests, and by sustainablewater cycle management and sharingtheir economic and social benefits.

Consider the impacts of waterinfrastructure on ecosystems andtake mitigation measures, if needed.Growth of population and the resultingnew infrastructure for production offood and hydropower, navigation andflood protection will have impactson ecosystems and the natural environ-ment. Take appropriate measures tomitigate any potential negative impacts.

Valuate ecosystem services andintegrate ecosystems into planningand decision making of developmentprojects. Plan and incorporate theintegration of ecosystem managementgoals in other sectors, in the context of

sustainable development, such assustainable forest and wetlandmanagement, including the non-market value of ecosystems.

Use ecosystems as a bufferto climate change. Consider theuncertainty climate change may bringto the ecosystem's functioning andacknowledge the value of ecosystemsto reduce the risk of non-linearchanges, hazards, and the exacerbationof poverty.

Mitigate the degradation ofecosystems and their services. Createthe necessary enabling institutionaland social environment for achievingreversal of the degradation of ecosystemswhile meeting the increasing demandsfor their services. Cooperate with theforest and land management expertsworking with international initiativesand organizations with a view tojointly enhance forest and wetlandservices, in particular the water-relatedservices from forests.

Support programs for biodiver-sity, water body restoration andecosystem enhancement. Actions toprotect and rehabilitate ecosystemsand natural hydraulic processes area strong element of adapting toclimate change, reducing water-relateddisaster risks, and balancing populationpressures.

Preserve surface and subsurfaceenvironmental flows. Adherence toenvironmental flows is the obligatorypriority vector of surface water use;therefore ecological flows should begiven appropriate importance in thestrategy of transboundary and nationalbasins' water use as well as in annualplanning. Conduct comprehensiveinventory studies on environmentalflow needs as a large majority offreshwater ecosystems have not beenassessed and then establish, implementand enforce standards on limitations tothe reduction or alteration of flows.

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Element 4: Managing andprotecting surface, ground,rainwater and soil

Integrate water quality mana-gement. Integrate water qualitymanagement in order to protect allwater resources from all pollutantsources and pressures.

Understand groundwater rights,laws and policies and develop newones, with regulation and enforce-ment, where there are gaps. Suchinformation, including social forcesand incentives that drive present-daywater management practices, will helpin the formulation of policies andincentives to stimulate socially-andenvironmentally-sound groundwatermanagement practices. This isparticularly relevant in those situationswhere aquifers cross boundaries andis therefore important to promotecooperation for the management ofwater resources. Many groundwaterresources across the globe do not havelaws and policies that govern themeither because of a lack of institutionalcapacity or scientific knowledge.

Develop policies and institutionsto protect and to integrate themanagement of aquatic ecosystems.Manage basins not just with a viewtowards surface waters, but to integrateeach basin's surface, ground, rainwaterand soil into management practicestaking a holistic approach with a viewtowards sustainable utilization andenvironmental protection. All foursources are inter-related and affect oneanother, so they need to be appropriatelyaddressed in cross- sectoral policiesgoverning water management practices.

Incorporate ecological approachesinto urban water management. Suchan approach is instrumental in searchingfor more sustainable solutions that areincreasingly characterized by localapproaches with reduced environmentalflows that avoid large imports ofwater, energy and materials, exports ofpollution and that minimize ecological

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disruption. Examples includerainwater harvesting, reducingunaccounted for water, waste-water reclamation and reuse,

which reduce both the need forimportation of high-quality water andthe discharge of pollution into receivingwaters, and can reduce infrastructurecosts.

Upscale good practices in smalland medium-scale water resources

management. Promote, disseminateand upscale successful examplesof small and medium-scale waterresources management on the national,regional and global scales.

Afford more attention torainwater. Include rainwater manage-ment in national water managementplans, where possible, that supportsocial and economic developmentoutcomes and referencing its utility to

increase supply in agriculture andwater security in the context of changingrainfall patterns associated with climatechange. Builds skills and capacityto share knowledge on rainwatermanagement strategies among allwater users.

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Element 1: The Right to Waterand Sanitation for ImprovedAccess

Review and revise national lawsand policies to reflect the principlesof the right to water and sanitation.Review and revise all relevant nationallaws and policies relating to watersupply and sanitation, water resourcemanagement, public health, land use,irrigation and related areas to reflectthe principles of the right to water andsanitation to ensure progressivelyaccess to sufficient, safe and affordablewater for personal and domestic uses,educational institution or healthcentre, as well as access to culturallyacceptable, safe and adequate sanitationwithin each household.

Promote access to water andsanitation. At the global level, workto mobilize resources from all sourcesto ensure basic access to clean andsafe water and sanitation for all withinthe shortest possible time.

Establish clear roles, responsi-bilities and coordination mechanismsto settle disputes. Ensure that thereis a clear allocation of responsibilitybetween relevant government actorsresponsible for water and sanitationand ensure that there are effective,

independent and easily accessiblecomplaints mechanisms to addressdenials of, or interferences with, anycitizen's right to water and sanitation.

Promote information andtraining available to all. Requirethat all water and sanitation authoritiesprovide all relevant information in anaccessible form to the people, includingon their rights and duties, and thatpeople are given an opportunity toparticipate in decision-making affectingtheir rights. Training, as necessary andrequested, should be provided for therepresentatives of marginalized andvulnerable groups in order to ensurethat they can participate on an equalfooting with other groups and advocatefor their rights.

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Element 2: Water institutionsand water reforms

Carry out policy, legal andregulatory reform. Reform is anessential condition for sustainable andeffective change. Governments shouldensure that a supportive environmentexists for sustained efforts in all sectorsrelated to water and should clearly definethe roles, rights, and responsibilities ofall actors and promote cross-cutting

coordination and policy development.Special attention should be given todefining policies that incorporate thespecific needs of and opportunities forthe poor, as expressed by them, forenhancing living standards throughaccess to water supply and safe, gender-sensitive sanitation, irrigation and toensuring that water allocations aresustainable within hydrological limitsin accordance with the principles ofIWRM. Reform efforts should comefrom all stakeholders, both the highpolitical level as well as from thegrassroots level while thinking"outside of the box".

Couple institutional reformwith capacity development. Reformshould include capacity building,the introduction of more appropriatemanagement systems, and more effectiveinstitutional coordination between allplayers, especially at the basin level.This is particularly the case amonggovernment agencies, but there is alsoa need to build better links betweengovernment, the private sector,civil society, and community-levelorganizations.

Improve the relationship betweennational and local water institutionsat the basin level. Strengthencoordination between national, basin

THEME IV: Governance and Management

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and local water institutions to createa balance in the oversight andmanagement of these institutions.Harmonize actions between the nationaland local levels to facilitate effectiveand efficient management at bothlevels in order to maximize resources.Incorporate a multi-sectoral approachwhen necessary. Promote public-private-partnerships, as appropriate.Utilize civil society and the scientificcommunity to enhance these partner-ships.

Recognize the role of small-scale water providers. Small scalewater providers, water boards, farmersassociations and communities play alarge role in extending water supplydelivery to poor communities and armersin urban, peri-urban and rural areas.Facilitate regulatory and monitoringmechanisms for these providers. Ensureaffordability and that the poor and lowincome people are not paying excessiveprices for water.

Strengthen and supportdecentralization efforts. Empowerlocal and basin-level institutionsby strengthening and carrying outdecentralization from central govern-ments according to basic recognizedprinciples, as water services are bestprovided at the local level whilehaving a connection with the nationallevel through coordinated activities.Before decentralization is carried outat a local level, research in order tocomprehend the local context underwhich the reforms will take place and toavoid unexpected and bad consequences.Central governments should create anenabling environment for decentralizedinstitutions to ensure that they havefinancial, technical, legal and humancapacities for effective local management,including coping with rapid urbanexpansion, poverty and global changes.Strengthen existing local institutionsand where local institutions do notexist, establish them while incorporatingcivil society, user groups, waterprofessionals and other stakeholdersin their functioning.

Institutionalize pollution pre-vention. Provide clear and enforceableregulations at the government level toprevent pollution of water resourcesby agricultural, industrial or domesticwaste. Similarly, Mayors can rely onthe regulators to prevent pollution byagriculture, industries or domesticwaste from the city itself.

Recognise the need for clearand sustainable allocation of waterfor different uses and effectiveregulation of its application.Governments at the appropriate levelneed to allocate the use of water betweenits many uses and users, havingrespect to the sustainability of ecosys-tems, societies and economies. Thisrequires attention to the levels of sus-tainable abstraction from the naturalresource. The application of theseallocation decisions and laws andregulations need to be appropriate,enforceable and enforced. Thisrequires appropriately empowered,resourced and informed regulators.

Create effective regulation,monitoring and enforcement.Ensure effective regulation and moni-toring of service provision relating tocompliance with access targets, tariffstructures, service and performancestandards of water resource use,including prevention of pollution andlimits on abstraction. Informal serviceprovision should be regulated at leastin relation to quality and priceof service. Establish enforcementmechanisms where necessary to aidwith compliance.

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Element 3: Ethics, Transparencyand Empowerment of Stakeholders

Engage with a wide range ofstakeholders. In order to achievesustainable, resilient and effective policiesand practices, all stakeholders includinggovernments and representatives of allmajor groups have to collaborate to reach

decisions that relate to watermanagement in the broadestsense. Participatory procedure,including development ofindicators, dissemination of informationand monitoring, have to ensure inputfrom all stakeholders in disseminatingprocesses, resolving conflicts ofinterest, lead to equity and in generalinvolve the voice of civil society.

Promote transparency andprevent corruption. In all aspects ofrelated to the management of water,support fully transparent processes ofdecision-making. Open water-relatedinstitutions, information and processesto transparency. Prevent corruption inthe water sector through transparency,good governance, public accountabilityand access to justice.

Incorporate good governanceinto water management policies andpractices. Include participation, equality,accountability, from both developmentpartner and recipient nation,transparency, the rule of law andconsensus-based decision-makingin the governance structure of waterresources management.

Promote a water ethic. Encouragea "water ethic" in policies of watermanagement where there is, for humans,equity in the accessibility to water forfuture generations.

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Element 4: Optimizing Publicand Private Roles in Water Services

Improve public sector providers/utilities. Increase the efficiency andreach of public sector providers, ruraland urban, through capacity building,cooperation between water operatorsthrough partnerships and increasedfinancial and technical resources.Develop, support and expand the publicsector water providers and authoritiesthrough rational investments. Decen-tralize the ability to raise funds to the

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local levels and strengthendecentralized cooperation so asnot to depend on purely govern-ment finances where applicable.

Facilitate the choice of the bestservice providers, regardless ofsector. Utilize all available providersin order to achieve coverage for allunder the supervision of governmentor public water authorities. Stakeholderinvolvement in these processes keepsboth public and private providersaccountable to the greater public.

Clearly define and formalizeroles. For all actors, delineate roles ofwater, sanitation and agriculturalservices provision and then formalizethese roles into contracts, otherwiseknown as "contractualization", which is

the establishment of an agreement withclear targets, mutual commitments andclear differentiation of respective roles,duties and responsibilities between theauthority and each of its operators,public or private.

Raise awareness about andpromote public and private roles andpublic-private and public-publicpartnerships. Lack of knowledge andunderstanding of public and privateprovision of services has hindered theprovision of those services themselves.Efforts must be made to raise awarenessabout the benefits of the roles of thepublic and private sector provision ofwater and sanitation services as wellas how public-private partnershipscarry out these activities.

Strengthen the capacity andefficiency of public authorities.Public communities should carry outcompetitive tendering of projects in atransparent, inclusive manner, performprogressive assessments to chartchanges over time between operatorsin order to monitor compliance withstandards and regulations, and createbenchmarks to compare operatorperformance with other operatorstaking into consideration contextualdifferences. When the possibility ofprivate sector participation of waterservices occurs, conduct socio-politicalassessments to determine the feasibilityof such a change in provider and takenecessary measures to eliminatecorrupt practices.

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THEME V: FinanceElement 1: Sustainable Financing in the Water Sector

Urgently increase and better-target investments and financeto bridge the gap in financing. Thefinancial needs of the sector, fromwater and sanitation, irrigationnetworks, river basin management,flood risk management, hydropower,wastewater management, rehabilitationof polluted and/or degraded watersources, reservoirs and aquatic systems,data collection and climate changeadaptation, are enormous and increasing.Investments in the water sector arecrucial to meet the broader MDGtargets of reducing poverty, hunger,child and maternal mortality, and theincidence of major diseases, toimprove environmental sustainabilityand realize economic benefits. In spiteof recent year's efforts to increase theamount of financing for the sector, thegap between needs and actual invest-ments is actually widening while there

are considerable potential benefits thatare still untapped. National governments,local authorities, developmentpartners and international financialinstitutions need to act urgently, notonly to increase the finance for thesector but also to improve the targetingand effectiveness of the financing andto create an enabling environment.

Mobilize political will with soundeconomic and social arguments.Facilitate a better understanding of thewater/poverty eradication/economicgrowth nexus for decision makers andpolitical leaders. The water sector isfundamental to the poverty reduction,economic development and environ-mental sustainability agendas; yet itonly manages to attract a fraction ofthe financing that is needed. Improvingdecision makers' and political leaders'understanding of the economic, social,health, and environmental benefits ofinvesting in water will encourage theflow of sustainable financing.

Ensure operational capacity bycoupling "soft" investment and"hard" investment. Investment ininfrastructure needs also investment ininstitutional frameworks and develop-ment and the human capacity tomanage, operate and maintain theinfrastructure, and vice versa. There isa need to build the technical, financialand managerial and planning capacityof sector stakeholders at all levels,especially local, in order to ensuresuccessful operational outcomes.

Strategic financial planning is ameans to establish consensus andbuild a sustainable cost recoverystrategy. An approach to address thechallenges is through strategic financialplanning for the water sector. Suchplans establish realistic policy objectivesregarding access to water and sanitationservices that are affordable to publicbudgets and households. They considerways of mobilising more financialresources, reducing excessive demand,

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and improving the cost-effective useof resources. Strategic financial planninghelps to reach consensus on policychoices and the way they can beachieved. Such planning processesshould engage all relevant stakeholders.This can lead to a more rational use ofexisting financial resources and facilitateaccess to additional ones.

Diversify the sources of financeto bridge the gap in financing. Thewater sector's capital expenditurerequirements are enormous. No singlesource of finance is large enough tomeet its financing needs in the short tomedium term. In addition to optimizingthe financing from tariffs, taxes andtransfers, access to debt and equityfinancing, from international financinginstitutions, commercial sources andfrom domestic financial and capitalmarkets, can be used to bridge thefinancing gap for capital investments.

Facilitate sub-sovereign accessto financial markets. Governmentsneed to allocate adequate resources tothe sub-sovereign level, especiallysmaller and poorer towns, to finance acritical mass of basic local infrastructureservices including water supply andsanitation. These allocations can leverageadditional sources of financing fromdevelopment partner agencies andlending institutions. Such payments/transfers should be made morepredictable, performance- based andbetter targeted. Governments andfinancial institutions should also helplocal authorities and smaller communi-ties to access national and internationalcapital markets and enable betterflows and coordination of existingfinances. Increase the efforts for bothfunctional and fiscal decentralizationand private sector involvement, wheresuitable and in the context of anappropriate regulatory framework.

Increase Official DevelopmentAssistance (ODA) to capacity deve-lopment and project preparation.Development partners and MultilateralFinancing Institutions should increase

Official Development Assistance to buildinstitutions to prepare for infrastructureprojects and build the capacity ofwater operators to be better preparedto attract new financial resources.Also, improve the modalities fornational governments and ODAinvestment in infrastructure and capacitydevelopment of regional importance.

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Element 2: Cost RecoveryStrategies as a Tool for a Sustainable Water Sector

Adopt fair and equitable costrecovery strategies. Achieve fairnessbetween all categories of water userswhile promoting universal access towater and sanitation services. Ensurefinancial resources by appropriate costrecovery mechanisms for good qualityservice, maintenance, infrastructure,social objectives and investment asneeded. Such changes cannot be madewithout appropriate institutional andtechnical reforms to carry out costrecovery reform and to enable costrecovery. Stakeholder participation iscrucial in order to achieve consensusand a smooth transition.

Encourage sustainable costrecovery. The public authoritiesresponsible for providing water servicesshould develop sustainable long-termcost recovery policies, anticipating allfuture cash-flow needs of the serviceand to support new investments bycombining revenues from tariffs that areaffordable to each categories of userwith the budgetary resources from taxesand transfers that are predictableenough to allow investment. Sustainablecost recovery includes investment andoperating costs as well as the cost ofmaintaining existing infrastructure.Include environmental costs of waterservices provision in cost recovery formaximum efficiency. Also createpro-poor incentives or alternative costrecovery mechanisms according todomestic circumstances to ensure

affordability as seen by theseusers.

Empower local authoritiesin implementing sustainable costrecovery systems. Where localauthorities are responsible for serviceprovision, national governments mustprovide them the necessary authorityto implement appropriate and sustainablecost recovery systems, through tariffs,budget subsidies, consistent withinternational obligations under theWorld Trade Organization and respectiveagreements. They should be predictablein order to allow for investment, whileensuring affordability for all throughsubsidies and/or cross-subsidies thatmakes access to water affordable foreach category of water-user.

Match cost recovery strategieswith sustainable developmentobjectives. Cost recovery strategiesshould reflect sustainable developmentobjectives. Ensure that tariffs areperceived as responding to principlesof fairness, equity and sustainability,access to and consumption of adequatelevels of services remain affordablefor each category of user, poor andlow income level people in particular,and cost recovery policies do not restrictaccess to water and sanitation services.Review and analyze water and sanitationcost recovery policies according totheir implementation in a realisticmanner considering peculiarities ofpoor and low-income people.

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Element 3: Pro-poor FinancingPolicies and Strategies

Promote innovative pro-poorfinancing policies and strategies.Promote such initiatives as microfi-nance, output- and outcome-based aid,the financing of local private sectorproviders and sharing the costs betweenthe public and private sectors, forconnecting the unserved. Subsidizingthe initial connection charges is oftenmore effective for increasing access

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than subsidizing recurrentconsumption costs. Improveinvestment environments byestablishing more effective

and diverse credit and financialmanagement sys tems tha t a reaccessible and affordable to thepoor.

Recognize the role of small-scale water and sanitation suppliers.Small-scale private water and sanitationsuppliers provide water for many

marginalized and poor areas wherepublic networked water systems donot reach. It is important to recognizetheir role and the gap they fill whilealso defining their role, increasingtheir regulation and their capacity aswell as their financing to utilize theirunique niche markets while ensuringaffordable prices and their capacity.

Facilitate technology transferand the generation of additionalfinancial resources. Incorporate the

principle of common, but differentiatedresponsibilities in this regard.

Reaffirm, in a period of globalfinancial and economic crisis, theimportance of governments' conti-nuous support to the water sector.Recognize that investments in waterinfrastructure should be duly consideredfor inclusion in national economicstimulus packages. This could alsoinclude the promotion of internationallycoordinated financial instruments.

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THEME VI: Education, Knowledgeand Capacity Development

Element 1: Education, Knowledge and Capacity Development

Share information and know-ledge. Free access to scientific literaturefor professionals and researchers indeveloping countries should becomean increasingly important factor inreducing the knowledge gap that nowexists between the North and theSouth. Decision-makers should adoptpolicies and set incentives for theirorganizations to overcome hurdles ofcommunication, lack of data and skillstraining, to improve knowledge andknow-how and remove limits on theprivate sector to engage in informationand communication services. Deve-lopment partners should provide morefellowships dedicated to e-learning.

Educate all water users anddecision makers. Concerted globalaction should be taken to educate andenhance the knowledge of water,sanitation, ecosystems, water productiontechnology and water-related issuesto all water users, but especially todecision makers at national and locallevels, both in and outside of the water

sector, and those that are marginalizedby society yet have important roles toplay in water resources management.Everyone needs opportunities toaccess education on water resourcessuch as non-traditional and vocationaltraining. Strengthen the role of themedia in this regard. The concepts ofvirtual water and water footprints arepowerful communication tools. Theyshould be further developed and usedto influence decision makers ingovernments and the private sectorso that the imports on water scarceregions are taken into account in trade,agriculture and industry policies.These concepts should also be used toeducate consumers about the impactsof consumption of food and othercommodities on water resources. It isalso necessary to give attention toproviding water education to childrenon the conversation of water.

Build on existing local knowledge.Local actors are at the front line as theyare the first in addressing local problems.They hold valuable knowledge andexperience and this still too often goesunrecognized. Their knowledge andexperience, as well as technology, should

be identified and reviewed -decisionmakers need to learn from thesestakeholders and apply the lessonslearned, such that they use localcapacity and knowledge, work withlocal reformers, build capacity of localinstitutions and civil society, and applythe subsidiary principle to empowerthe local actors. A balanced combinationis called for to incorporate top-down(often larger scale) and bottom-up(often smaller-scale) approaches andprocedures.

Build learning networks.Networks are also becoming very helpfulto disseminate and share informalknowledge, identify common problems,build attitudes and confidence, andgenerate new knowledge. South-Southand North-South triangular cooperationand networks provide platforms toshare lessons and adapt them from oneplace to another. In addition to thesehorizontal networks of peers, the needis growing for "vertical" connectivityfrom networks through which localstakeholders can access global networksand knowledge.

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Promote integrated approaches.Multi-disciplinary problem-basedlearning and demand-driven researchagendas should be promoted to over-come the lack of capacity to tacklewith global challenges. Educationaland other knowledge institutionsshould play active roles in multi-stakeholder partnerships for waterresources management. This willallow more effective problem solvingand better sharing of traditional andformal knowledge.

Create "learning" organizations.The best organizations in publicadministration are "learning" organi-zations, just as knowledge-drivencorporations in the private sector tendto be the more successful businesses.They allow themselves to change inresponse to new challenges and to newknowledge.

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Element 2: Water Science andTechnology - Appropriate andInnovative Solutions

Combine advanced technologywith capacity development. While itis necessary to be innovative andcreate new technologies, and especiallyinformation technologies, that arecutting edge, this should be combinedwith the use of indigenous knowledge.Sophisticated technology can onlywork if it is accompanied with capacitydevelopment. Sustained operations,maintenance and skills training mustcoincide with the use of high-techsolutions. Raising awareness is thefirst step, however, in making urbanwater managers, farmers and otherwater professionals aware technologythat is available to them. Consideringthe cost of energy and food, this isespecially true for the use of irrigationtechnology.

Promote national, regional andinternational cooperation. Whilesome technologies are local in nature

others can be utilized in any part of theworld. International cooperation shouldbe promoted in not only the transferof technology between countries,but also in the access to data related totechnology.

Broaden technological choices.The range of technology choices foragricultural, domestic and industrialconsumption must be broadened toinclude the improvement of currenttechnologies and overcome limitations,for instance desalination, waterharvesting, water reuse and recyclingand risk management and disasterpreparedness as well as the developmentof innovative, low-cost technicalapproaches, such as local householdtechnologies, that can be implementedin poor communities. Where possible,appropriate technologies and theirresponsible use should be givenprecedence. How technology andtechnological options can be used bycommunities and the participation ofthose communities in the planningprocess should always be taken intoconsideration.

Support and promote globalwater science programmes. In orderto understand complex interactions bet-ween the hydrological cycle, associatedbiogeochemical cycles and the globaldrivers, scientific research in theseareas needs to be intensified andextended. It is of particular importanceto build relevant capacities in developingcountries and have the local researchcommunity participate in relevantglobal research programmes. The roleof international water educationinstitutions is extremely important inthis regard. Appropriate scholarshipprogrammes for developing countriesneed to be developed and implemented.

Promote science and technologyin tertiary education. In order toproperly advance scientific andtechnological solutions to waterresources problems, quality educationalopportunities need to be in place inorder to attract students to pursue

careers in areas where such advances are made. Such oppor-tunities and participation in suchprograms should be encouragedat the national and local levels.

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Element 3: ProfessionalAssociations and Networks

Support regional and nationaland professional associations. Wherenational and professional associationsexist, for governments to give furthersupport to achieve goals and mandates,especially in Africa. Where no nationalassociations exist, to partner with inter-national professional associations tosupport the formation of nascentnational associations.

Carry out human resourcesassessment. It is not currently clearhow many people are working in wateraround in the world, how are their livingand working conditions and, where andwhat are the precise needs of the sector.An urgent requirement is for a periodicassessment of the state of the sector'shuman resources in order to globallymonitor the state of the "professionalinfrastructure" and help develop a highperformance workplace wherebyworkers have access to the skillsrequired of their jobs, including socialpriorities.

Strengthen umbrella bodies.Numerous professional associationsand networks exist without a strong,developed umbrella body with the aimof facilitating stronger synergiesbetween these associations andnetworks.

Engage professional associationsin policy and investment. Professionalassociations including trade unions,farmers associations, business asso-ciations, chambers of engineers providea wealth of knowledge and expertiseon various issues related to water,depending on their central focus, from

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the local. These associations andnetworks can be more involvedand engaged in capacity buil-ding, at the earliest of stages of

implementation, to influence policyand investments related to their expertise.

Promote governments andprofessional associations workingtogether to develop human resources.Professional associations and networksoffer a large amount of sectoral andcareer knowledge that can proveuseful to the development of humanresources in the water sector. Theseassociations, in partnership with nationaland local governments, should promotetraining and education related to careersin water resources management. WaterOperators Partnerships (WOPS) andprivate educational institutions can assistwith these initiatives. Concentratedefforts should be to involve farmers, togender mainstream human resourcepolicies and practices and encourageprofessional career opportunities forwomen and young professionals. Withyouth being the future, young professio-nals' associations need to be encouraged,supported, guided and promotedthroughout the world. Moreover, helptechnical people to understand socialpriorities.

Create better links betweensectors. Coupled with the strengtheningof professional associations, it is alsoessential to create better links withthose associations and government,the private sector, civil society, com-munity-level organizations and otherstakeholders.

Involve professional associationsin national commissions. Using theexperience of international professionalassociations, governments should inviterepresentatives from these associationsto serve in a standing capacity on nationalscience, research and developmentcommissions in order to link effectivelyresearch to policy developments.

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Element 4: Access to data

Invest in data. The collection,analysis and compatibility of criticaldata and information should not beregarded as an expenditure, but as acreditable investment, often financedby tax payers, with high-quality futurereturns. In particular, the number ofbasic hydrological stations in manycountries is inadequate to satisfy eventhe minimum needs and yet NationalHydrological Services have seen thebudgetary allocations for hydrologicalservices systematically cut. Nationalgovernments should take urgentmeasures, when appropriate, directedat reversing the growing decline ofthese networks and should increasesupport for operational hydrologicaland relevant meteorological observationnetworks. This is especially crucial indeveloping countries.

Understand and assess vulnera-bility. A better understanding of theimpacts of global changes, includingclimate change and variability, onwater resources and their availabilityand quality for multiple uses is necessaryin order to prepare the requiredresponse strategies. Resources shouldbe provided and efforts intensified toimprove information and data collectionat first and promote research regardingthe potential impacts of climate varia-bility and change on freshwaterresources in river basins. Activitiesshould include new investments inobservations and measurements,capacity building, operation andmaintenance of existing monitoringsystems, including the redevelopmentand upgrading of the existing hydro-logical networks.

Support from internationalorganizations and developmentpartners. The international developmentpartner community should supportcomprehensive projects to improvedata collection, including improvementof hydrological networks, data mana-

gement and dissemination, whichconstitute the foundation of all IWRMprocesses. The United Nations, theWorld Bank and other internationalagencies and development partners shouldassist countries with comprehensiveprojects, in order to improve their datacollection networks and build theknowledge and information bases thatare needed to develop and managewater resources in a sustainable manner.

Include monitoring and assess-ment in data collection. Simple datacollection is not enough and monitoringand assessing the data for trends isnecessary for proper adaptation andmitigation measures of water-relatedproblems, floods and droughts inparticular. Urgent issues requiring aninflux of data collection, monitoringand assessment include climatechange, sanitation, access to water,water-related disasters, groundwaterand the interface between groundwaterand surface water. Assessment shouldbe carried out at local, basin, regional,national and global levels and includea peer review process for performancefor those who ascribe to the idea.Reliability, consistency and compati-bility of data coming from differentsources ought to be ensured.

Promote international andinterstate data exchange andcooperation between countries.For a better understanding of thehydrological cycle under the changingclimate, international data exchangeshould be encouraged. Internationaland national policies should be reviewedand efforts needs to be directed inorder to facilitate the internationalexchange of hydrological and relateddata and products, so that regional andglobal studies of freshwater resourcesand climate change and variability canbe conducted and useful resultsproduced for the benefit of mankind.

Strengthen the use of data indecision making. The role of thewater manager is essential to watersecurity in that it includes proposing a

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comprehensive range of options tomeet the desired societal objectivesand needs for water security. Data inthe hands of water managers enhancestheir capacity to develop practicalsolutions. At the same time, decisionmakers should be sensitized to theimportance of data so that quality datacan influence policy decisions.

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Element 5: Water and Culture

Ensure cultural diversity.Incorporating traditional and localknowledge about the use, managementand conservation of water in waterpolicies, reforms and scientific researchwill make actions on the ground moresustainable, effective and engaging forthose who carry out the work.Through adopting processes andstrategies that recognize traditionaland local knowledge, and creditingownership of those to specific culturalgroups, this can ensure the viability ofcultures and ecosystems.

Recognize, integrate and promotecultural diversities and technologiesin water management. Throughrecognizing the value of diverse culturalpractices and technologies in watermanagement, integrating these practicesand technologies with scientific know-ledge and developing guidelines andrecommendations for incorporatingthem into water management, strategiesand policies can better achieve sustai-nable water management.

Embed cultural diversity inwater governance. Both national andlocal governments should create anenabling environment through appro-priate reforms of water policy andlegislation in such a way that customarylaw, informal water use practices andcultural diversity are formally recognizedand accommodated. Through analyzingwater policies and laws to see wheregaps are between the modern andtraditional, reforming water management

organizations' structures to reflectcultural diversity, establishing national-local partnerships to monitorchanges promoting cultural diversity,and understanding, respecting anddocumenting effective traditionalwater management adaptation strategies,more resource sustainability will existand help in realizing the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.

Evaluate the relationship betweencultural diversity, biodiversityand water resource management.Recognizing marked decline in culturaland biodiversity, governments anddevelopment financial institutionsshould add to their social and environ-mental safeguards an explicit concernfor cultural diversity and thereforeshould evaluate the inter-linkagesbetween cultural diversity, biodiversityand water resource management at theproject specific, local, national, regionaland global levels.

Protect water and its culturalvalue. Sacred water sites exist in everynation on every continent. There is theneed to identify and then protect thesesacred sites. In addition, water's culturalimportance is also reflected throughsongs, stories, designs, dance, music,sports, festivals and multimedia,which should not only be protected aswell, but should also celebrate water.

Improve the institutionalframework of water and culture. Inclusion of cultural diversity in waterprojects and programmes can increaseunderstanding and collaboration andfacilitate their implementation. Incarrying out transparent participatorydecision-making processes, takinginto consideration the United Nations'guiding principles, cultural diversityaspects should be respected. ■

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MINISTERIAL PROCESSMinisterial Conference Discussion Paper

ANNEX I:CONTRIBUTING DOCUMENTS

Alicante Declaration: The Global Importanceof Ground Water

Beppu Policy Brief 2007 (1st Asia-Pacific WaterSummit)

Brisbane Declaration: Environmental Flows areEssential for Freshwater Ecosystem Health andHuman Well-being

Civil Society Statement - AfricaSan + 5

Commission on Sustainable Development - Thirteenth Session: Freshwater management:policy options and possible actions to expediteimplementation

Dushanbe Declaration on Water-relatedDisaster Reduction

eThekwini Declaration (AfricaSan Conferenceon Sanitation and Hygiene)

Financing Water for All: Report on the WorldPanel on Financing Water Infrastructure

First African Water Week: Summary of Pro-ceeding and Outcomes

Geneva Conventions

Global Corruption Report 2008: Corruption inthe Water Sector

Hashimoto Action Plan

International Symposium: Water for a ChangingWorld - Enhancing Local Knowledge and Capacity

Lisbon Congress and Kampala Conference: International Association of Hydrogeologists(IAH)

Manual on the Right to Water and Sanitation(COHRE)

Marseille Statement (UNESCO Symposium onFrontiers in Urban Water Management)

Message from Beppu (1st Asia-Pacific WaterSummit)

Paris-2007 Statement (UNESCO InternationalSymposium on New Directions in UrbanWater Management)

Previous World Water Fora Declarations

Sharm El-Sheikh Commitments for Accelera-ting the Achievement of Water and SanitationGoals in Africa

Third International Conference on ManagingShared Aquifer Resources in Africa

Third United Nations World Water Develop-ment Report (WWDR-3)

Up to and Beyond 2015: Emerging Issues andFuture Challenges for the International Waterand Sanitation Agenda

Water for a Sustainable Europe - Our Visionfor 2030

ISTANBULWATER GUIDE