6th World Water Forum 2012
On Friday 19 June 2009, the World Water Council selected Marseille, France as the city and country to host the 2012 World Water Forum.
The selection followed a rigorous process for evaluating the candidates
and a final vote from the Council’s Board of Governors. The World Water
Forum is the world’s largest water gathering that brings together over
20,000 political leaders, NGOs, government officials, water
professionals, and scientists every three years. “Thank you for your
confidence and for this important challenge you have given us”, said
Martine Vassal, Deputy Mayor of Marseille.
In an effort to benefit from the excellent quality of the two final
candidatures, France and South Africa, the Governors of the World Water
Council suggested that the countries work hand in hand. “Our engagement
to host the World Water Forum in 2012 is very strong and we really want
to work together to bring solutions to the world’s water challenges,”
Vassal continued, stressing the candidates’ will to join forces. Prior
to the vote, South Africa and France both had agreed to a partnership
for the preparation of the next Forum. As such, when Marseille was
selected, it extended an invitation to Durban, South Africa to be a
full partner in the years running up to the Forum. “If you want to go
fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”, said one of the
participants in the Board, emphasizing the unique opportunity that this
partnership entails.
After extending his congratulations to France, Kevin Wall, Alternate
Governor of the World Water Council representing the South African
candidacy, committed the full support of South Africa to the success of
the World Water Forum in 2012 in Marseille. “We are very happy to be
part of this process and enthusiastic to offer our experience.”
The French candidacy showcased a will to engage people regionally in
the global debate around water, but at the same time made it clear that
debate is not enough. Through its candidacy, France committed to making
the World Water Forum in 2012, “the Forum of Solutions”, drawing from
the many concrete successes that France has had in the environmental
domain.
The Council’s decision comes three months after the successful 5th
World Water Forum that took place in Istanbul (Turkey) in March. During
its meeting in Madrid, the Council’s Board of Governors also reviewed
the outcomes of this Forum. It commented on the major progress made
through the signing of the Istanbul Water Consensus by over 100 cities
from around the world. The accord promotes local action to deliver
water and sanitation services and manage water resources sustainably.
Over 20,000 people from 182 countries participated in the 5th World
Water Forum, under which 90 Ministers, 250 Parliamentarians and 300
Mayors.
The Council’s Board committed to put in place a thorough follow-up to
the 5th World Water Forum feeding into the preparations of the World
Water Forum 2012. In particular, more emphasis will be put on
consultations with stakeholders at the (sub) regional level so as to
ensure that sound proposals for solutions to the world water crisis are
put forward in Marseille in 2012.
The meeting of the World Water Council’s Governors comes as we are at a
crossroads in how we use and govern the world’s limited resources.
Increasingly citizens and political leaders recognize that water forms
a vital element for vibrant economies and healthy societies, and is key
to sustain the ecosystems we depend on. Yet, despite growing attention,
water resources continue to dwindle and billions still lack access to
proper water supply and sanitation.
The Council’s Governors reviewed this situation and discussed the
strategic directions for the World Water Council. They expressed a
clear need to deepen the dialogue on vital issues such as sanitation
and the linkages between water, energy and agricultural production.
They also indicated the need to broaden the engagement for water
involving a wider variety of stakeholders that depend and impact on
water resources. Furthermore, they indicated the need to mobilize
further political will, for example to realize the Millennium
Development Goals or to adapt to climate change and pro-actively
prepare for disasters.
Hosted by its Spanish member organizations and the Canal Isabel II
Foundation, the Board finally discussed its General Assembly in October
2009 when the full Council with its over 200 members will meet to agree
upon the strategic directions for the years to come.
Contact information |
Melanie Giard, World Water Council or Colin Herron, 5th World Water Forum / Daniella Bostrom
(email: m.giard@worldwatercouncil.org ; d.bostrom@worldwatercouncil.org ) Phone: +33 6 24 85 25 01 |
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Event type | Conference |
File link |
http://www.worldwaterforum6.org/ |
Source | World Water Council (WWC) |
Subject(s) | AGRICULTURE , ANALYSIS AND TESTS , CHARACTERISTICAL PARAMETERS OF WATERS AND SLUDGES , DRINKING WATER , DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION : COMMON PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT , ENERGY , FINANCE-ECONOMY , HEALTH - HYGIENE - PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM , HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , INDUSTRY , INFORMATION - COMPUTER SCIENCES , INFRASTRUCTURES , MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION , METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , NATURAL MEDIUM , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , PREVENTION AND NUISANCES POLLUTION , RIGHT , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , SANITATION -STRICT PURIFICATION PROCESSES , SLUDGES , TOOL TERMS , TOURISM - SPORT - HOBBIES , WATER DEMAND , WATER QUALITY |
Relation | http://www.worldwaterforum5.org/ |
Geographical coverage | France |
Address | in the “Parc Chanot – Palais des Congrès et des Expositions de Marseille”, in the city centre, Marseille, France |
Organizer | World Water Council (WWC) |
Target audience | International |
Period | [12/03/2012 - 17/03/2012] |
Status | Confirmed |
Working language(s) | ENGLISH , FRENCH |