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Global leaders convening at the opening session of the 2011 World Water Week in Stockholm called for increased investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure and smarter water management to avoid droughts, floods and pollution from further threatening the food, energy, and water security in a rapidly urbanizing world.

Dr. Sheela Patel, Chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI). Photograph by Thomas Henrikson/SIWI. Video of her remarks is below on this page.

Over 2,500 politicians, business leaders, representatives from international organizations, scientists, mayors and water professionals are gathering in Stockholm for the annual World Water Week, which this year focuses on ” Water in an Urbanized World.”  

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The map of our world today is dotted with 50 “megacities” that already have passed the five million inhabitant threshold. The number of people living in cities is yet expected to reach to 80 per cent of the world’s population by 2050, outnumbering the total world population of today. Most of this growth is happening in areas at risk of both water shortages and disastrous floods.

Mr. Anders Berntell, Executive Director, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) speaking at the 2011 World Water Week Opening Plenary 22 August 2011. World Water Week is organized by SIWI. Photograph courtesy of World Water Week. Video of his opening remarks is below on this page.

“More than 800 million people live in slums, where water related diseases, such as diarrhea, malaria and cholera have devastating effects on the livelihood of families and the economies of their countries,”  said Anders Berntell, Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). He warned that “we run the risk of losing the battle on water and sanitation in many cities around the world, and that is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

In the over 100 sessions set to take place throughout the week, the convening experts will explore the best courses of action to ensure that limited water resources are allocated to meet the growing demands from municipalities, agriculture, industries, energy utilities and households, in balance with nature’s capacity.

“Cities provide great economies of scale and offer excellent opportunities for effective infrastructure development, for increased re-use of water and waste, and for more efficient use of water and energy,” added Mr. Berntell.
 

Honorable Gunilla Carlsson, Minister of International Development Cooperation, Sweden, speaking at the 2011 World Water Week Opening Plenary. Photograph by Thomas Henrikson/SIWI

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson stressed in her speech that “increased access to clean water supplies and sanitation is an important catalytic force for development. The costs of not acting far exceed the costs of well-functioning, sustainable water resource management.”

She also emphasized that “the efficient use of, and equitable access to, water and sanitation in urban areas must figure prominently at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012.” During the World Water Week, participants will be asked to endorse a Stockholm Statement aimed at putting water at the center of the planning for a green economy at the Rio meeting.

Professor Stephen Carpenter at 2011 World Water Week. Professor Carpenter is the 2011 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Photograph by Thomas Henrikson/SIWI. Video of his presentation is below on this page.

Also speaking at the opening session, the 2011 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, Professor Stephen R. Carpenter of the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlighted that producing food for more people and bigger cities will strain available freshwater resources. “We need an agriculture that can feed 9 billion people while maintaining the water supplies and other ecosystem services that people need. The connections between food and water security have never been more important,” he said.

During the week, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden will present the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize to the Laureate for his distinguished work to protect lakes’ ecosystems. Other prizes that will be presented during the week are the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the Stockholm Industry Water Award.

About the World Water Week in Stockholm
The World Water Week in Stockholm is the annual meeting place for the planet’s most urgent water-related issues. Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), it brings together 2,500 experts, practitioners, decision makers and business innovators from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions.  www.worldwaterweek.org

About Stockholm International Water Institute
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI develops and promotes future-oriented and knowledge–integrated policies, towards sustainable use of the world’s water resources leading to sustainable development and poverty eradication. www.siwi.org
 

Notes:

Watch live streaming from the week: www.livestream.com/worldwaterweek
Engage at the World Water Week Social Media Hub: www.watermedia.org

This news is from World Water Week  22 August 2011, Stockholm, Sweden.

Welcome Address. Mr. Anders Berntell, Executive Director, Stockholm International Water Institute

2011 World Water Week Opening Plenary, Dr. Sheela Patel, chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI)


Stephen Carpenter: The 2011 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Lecture World Water Week

The 2011 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Lecture: Professor Stephen R. Carpenter, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Limnology speaking at the 2011 World Water Week in Stockholm Opening Plenary Session.

2011 World Water Week Opening Plenary, Dr. Sheela Patel, Chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI)

Official Opening Address of the 2011 World Water Week. Hon. Gunilla Carlsson, Minister of International Development Cooperation, Sweden