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 21 December 2009
The Arab Countries and the World Water Council Strengthen Ties for Water Cause
Last week, water management was at the heart of debate in Cairo, where the 3rd General Assembly of the Arab Water Council was held. Upon the invitation of Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, a delegation from the World Water Council travelled to the Egyptian capital on Thursday, 17 December, to participate in the event. Jointly with the Ministers in charge of water in Egypt, Sudan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the representative of the Arab League, the President of the World Water Council delivered an opening speech. Having recalled that water, especially in the Arab countries, is fundamental for the survival of the population, he added: “A new way to manage water resources, based on the constant improvement of the supply and a rationalization of the demand, is possible and necessary”. Full speech available here
20 December 2009
Water and disasters: Gathering competencies
"It’s time to move from words to action," writes Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, in an article on water related disasters for the French magazine Global Security. "While natural disasters cannot be avoided, the high price paid in human lives and material damage is not a fatality," he continues before evoking the work of the High Level Expert Panel on Water and Disasters and its Action Plan. Download the article here
07 December 2009
Call for a Global Water Fund at COP-15
Climate Change is in the world’s spotlight in Copenhagen during the coming days. It provides a major opportunity to remind the world community that water management is key to adapting to climate change. Today, the World Water Council calls upon the parties in Copenhagen to make investment in water a key part of the Copenhagen global climate deal and establish a Global Fund for Water, focused on “water for health” and “water for food”. Read the Statement “A Global Fund for Water as part of the Copenhagen accord” (.pdf)
 6 November 2009
Presentation of WWC Africa Programme at Africa Water Week
Dr. Alan Nicol, Head of Policy and Programmes at WWC, is presenting at the 2nd Africa Water Week being held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 9-13th November. His presentation on the 9th forms part of the wider financing theme and will draw on the work of the Council’s Africa Programme, entitled ‘Africa 2050—Water for Growth and Development’. Bill Cosgrove, Content Manager of the UN World Water Development Report and Former WWC President, will represent the Council as part of a high-level panel on financing during Africa Water Week.
With funding from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the major purpose of the Council’s Africa Programme is to support development of the continent’s water resources in such a way that they help to generate pro-poor growth and sustainable development. Following Africa Water Week, the Council will establish a web-based consultative platform to encourage wider feedback on the water and growth theme and to feed into the findings of a report that is currently being completed on this theme. To read the synopsis of Alan’s presentation for the Africa Water Week please Click here.
 16 Octobre 2009
Signing of the Agreement for the 6th World Water Forum
This is now official: the 6th World Water Forum will be held in Marseille, France, in March 2012. Chantal Jouanno, Secretary of State for Ecology, Jean-Claude Gaudin, Mayor of Marseille and Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council signed on Tuesday 15 October the agreement binding the parties (French Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, City of Marseille and WWC).
The signing ceremony took place during the 5th General Assembly of the World Water Council, in presence of some 250 WWC members gathered in "Parc Chanot", venue for the 6th Forum. View pictures.
 19 Octobre 2009
WWC New Board of Governors
WWC Members elected on Friday their new Board of Governors, which will oversee and guide the Council's work for the coming three years. The elections took place during the triennial General Assembly for which more than 280 members had gathered in Marseille, France. Through majority rule voting, the members elected the 36 Governors from 74 candidatures and appointed Loic Fauchon to continue to serve as President of the World Water Council.
The elections followed a full day of workshops and debates on the most pressing water-related issues. At a time when more than 1 billion people lack access to water and sanitation, the world stands at an important crossroads. It is therefore the Board’s responsibility and duty to provide a clear strategic direction for addressing the issues but also for bringing the solutions. Whether it concerns food or energy security, cross-border co-operation, achieving the Millennium Development Goals or adapting to climate change, the World Water Council should be the key catalyst of change and aim to contribute towards greater human security, particularly for those most in need. Link to the new Board of Governors.
 06 Octobre 2009
Water Caucus &nd 5th General Assembly of the World Water Council
The next General Assembly of the World Water Council will be held in Marseille, France from 14 to 16 October 2009. This meeting provides opportunities to meet with a wide range of members of the Council, learn more about the outcomes of the Fifth World Water Forum, and determine the strategic direction for the future of the Council. The consultation process with members for the World Water Council strategy for 2009-2012 was started during the Fifth Forum and will continue until the General Assembly.
During the General Assembly, the Council will also elect its Board of Governors for the period 2009 - 2012. Every active member organization can stand for election, in so doing designating both a representative and alternate representative to sit on the Board.
On the eve of the World Water Council’s General Assembly, “The Water Caucus” will provide a platform to Council members and partners to debate about how leadership can transform societies so that they may overcome crisis situations. Leaders from over 400 organisations representing more than 80 countries have been invited to participate in the Water Caucus, each of whom strive to provide water for development, growth and human security.
 17 August 2009
Water at a Crossroads: Dialogue and Debate from the 5th World Water Forum
From climate change adaptation to the energy and food crunch, from the MDGs to the Right to Water, this illustrated magazine pinpoints the key issues that were discussed in Istanbul and the different perspectives in addressing those questions. It aims to improve everyone’s understanding of the challenges we face today and how to solve them. Download the .pdf version.
As a companion publication, the Global Water Framework is a compilation of all official outcomes from the 5th World Water Forum: Ministerial Statement, Declaration of Heads of States, Thematic & Regional Outcomes, Children's declaration, and much more. Download Part 1 - Download Part 2.
 14 August 2009
The Council at the Stockholm World Water Week
The World Water Council is happy to welcome you to its Pavilion during the World Water Week in Stockholm from 16-21 August.
Throughout the week, the Council is (co-)organizing several events, including a Seminar on “For wise-use of Land and Water Resources” on 16 August at 09:00; a High Level Panel on Water and Climate Change on 20 August at 14:00; and a side-event on the Outcomes of the 5th World Water Forum on 20 August at 17:45. President Loïc Fauchon, will address the Opening Plenary on Monday, 17 August in the early afternoon.
 03 August 2009
China Joins Global Water Movement
With a growing water shortage and piloting new solutions to water stress, China is at the forefront of the world water quest. Home to 21% of the global population, China has just 7% of its freshwater. Moreover, the water is situated highly unevenly: some 80% of the resource is found in the South of China where 55% of the population lives, leaving the other 45% of the population in the North often short of this vital resource. To connect to the global water community and enlarge its capacity to deal with the water challenge, the Chinese Government has agreed with the World Water Council upon a strong collaboration. Read more.
 7 July 2009
270 signatory cities for the Istanbul Water Consensus!
A major highlight of the Local Authorities’ process of the 5th World Water Forum, the Istanbul Water Consensus continues to bridge cities from all over the world towards concrete actions to improve water and sanitation services at the local level. The initial list of 52 mayors and local officials who signed during the Forum has now grown to 270, including 200 Brazilian cities, thanks to communication efforts carried out by the WWC and its members. The Istanbul Water Consensus is now available on the 5th World Water Forum website in 8 languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish). All local and regional authorities are welcome to join the global water movement!
 19 June 2009
World Water Forum 2012: Host Country and City Selected
Madrid, Spain, 19 June 2009 - On Friday, 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. Read the Press Release.
 18 June 2009
You can now apply for WWC Membership online
Click here to complete your Membership Application
World Water Council Membership is open to all organisations involved in water-related activities. If your organisation join the WWC by JUly 16th, 2009, it will be able to participate in the 5th General Assembly of the World Water Council, Marseille, France, October 14-16, 2009. To learn more about Membership click here.
 23 April 2009
Opening of candidatures for the WWC Board of Governors - 5th General Assembly
All members of the World Water Council are invited for their 5th General Assembly, to be held in Marseilles, France on 15 and 16 October 2009. An opportunity for them to meet and share, elect the new Board of Governors, but also follow-up on the results of the 5th World Water Forum and decide on the strategies and orientation of the Council for the coming years. More information - Election procedure.
 12 March 2009
WWC Pavilion - The place to be at the 5th World Water Forum
 9 February 2009
Journalism Training Workshop at the World Water Forum
Professional journalists who want to develop a better understanding of water issues are invited to apply to participate in a workshop entitled Water and Sanitation for People and Planet to be held in Istanbul during the Forum. The program will be conducted by the Geneva-based training institute Media21, with support from the World Water Council, PATH, Water Advocates, the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), and other organizations. During the week after the Forum, the program will continue with two reporting field trips – one in India and the other in Ethiopia. Download the application form in pdf or word. For more information, visit the Media21 website. Completed applications should be sent by email.
 1 February 2009
"Unique Insights to the World's Water Problems"
With a special focus on water, the January issue of ISO Focus - the magazine on ISO's activities in international standardization - provides a 4 page Guest View where the President of the World Water Council, Loïc Fauchon, gives a "unique insight into the world’s water problems" and emphasizes the important link between international standardization projects and the work of the WWC. Download the article
 30 January 2009
Water Investments to Prevail Post Market Turmoil
"In uncertain and volatile markets, water investments have a track record of providing consistent, steady returns, and are attracting new interest as a result," reads a focus article published this week for Dow Jones Newswires. Ger Bergkamp, Director General of the World Water Council, comments in the article that water isn't traded on a world market, unlike other commodities and the majority of the $400 to $500 billion invested in water globally comes directly from governments. Want to know more about investments and water?
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