COPING WITH WATER SCARCITY

He ChangchuiAssistant Director General andRegional Representative for Asia and the Pacific RegionFAO

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FAO IAEA WMO IBRD IFAD UNESCO UNIDO WHO UNICEF UNHCR UNDP UNEP UNECE UNESCAP UNECLAC UNESCWA UNCCD CBD UNFCCC ISDR UN-Habitat UNU UNDESA World Water Council GWP PSI Ramsar IPTRID ICID IAH IWMI IWA IUCN UNECA

WWD 2007: Coordinated by FAOon Behalf of UN-Water

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Water Scarcity Local Crises of Regional and Global Dimension

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Water scarcity Local Crises of Regional and Global Dimension

Currently:

2.8 billion people are affected by water scarcity

By 2025:

2/3 of the world population will live in countries affected by water scarcity, including 1/3 of the populations of India and China.

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Water, Poverty and Livelihoods

Unclean water and lack of sanitation are the destiny of poor people across the world

Water Scarcity-First and Foremost an Issue of Poverty

The poor always pay more for water

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Water, Poverty and LivelihoodsWater and Food-Universally Recognized Human Rights

Right to water and right to food go hand in hand when it comes to realize access to food and necessary environment to be able to feed oneself

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Water, Poverty and LivelihoodsWater Scarcity Induces Water Competition

A greater focus is needed on the peaceful sharing and management of water at both international and local levels

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Water, Poverty and Livelihoods

Climate Change is to Aggravate Water Scarcity

Climate change is expected to account for 20% of the global increase in water scarcity. Countries already suffered from water shortages will be hit hardest.

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Water and Millennium Development Goals

Plays a Key Role in Achieving All the MDGs

Including:Hunger reduction Universal educationEmpowerment of womenImproved healthEnvironmental sustainabilityAdvancing partnership fordevelopment

The number of hungry people in the region stagnate around 524 million, about 16% of the population undernourished in developing countries

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The Way Lifting People Out of Poverty

Short term option:

Small-scale water harnessing

Second priority:

Investments in rural infrastructure, including irrigation modernization

Longer-term actions:

Sustainable management of large river basins

Greater Water Security and Sustainability

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Towards Water Security and Sustainability

Actions Needed at Different Levels

International & regional level:Cooperation on transboundary water management

National level:Policies and institutions for addressing water competition

Local level:Better management for sustainability and equitable water access

All three levels:Effective conflict-resolution mechanisms