The Hague, The Netherlands - March 2000

The Second World Water Forum in The Hague in 2000 generated a lot of debate on the Water Vision for the Future and the associated Framework for Action, dealing with the state and ownership of water resources, their development potential, management and financing models, and their impact on poverty, social, cultural and economic development and the environment. The Ministerial Declaration identifed meeting basic water needs, securing food supply, protecting ecosystems, sharing water resources, managing risks, valuing water and governing water wisely as the key challenges for our direct future.

Quick facts:

• 15,000 people involved in the Vision related discussions
• 5,700 participants in the Forum
• 114 ministers and official of 130 countries at the Ministerial Conference
• 500 journalists
• 32,500 visitors at the World Water Fair