Water security for greater social justice

World Water Council President Benedito Braga participated in an international workshop focused on the Human Right to Water and held at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City on 23 February. Speaking during the seminar “Geopolitics of water: the impact of climate change in water systems. Conflicts and perspectives”, President Braga focused his message on the absolute necessity of building water security to overcome the challenges brought by a changing climate to ensure peace worldwide. 

 

Under the chairmanship of Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, President Braga highlighted the need for “commitment at the highest levels towards Institutions, Infrastructure, and Investment.” It is estimated that 650 billion US dollars of annual investment is required from now to 2030 to ensure the infrastructure necessary to achieve water security. 

 

World Water Council President Benedito Braga also called upon the Holy-See to renew its commitment for the water cause at the 8th World Water Forum, which will be held in Brasilia, Brazil, 18-23 March 2018. In 2012, Vatican City participated in the 6th World Water Forum where they presented of their publication “Water an essential element for life”.

 

Over 100 participants representing the main monotheistic religions along with international scholars and thought leaders gathered during the workshop to create an interdisciplinary and ecumenical space for debate on the role of public policies in the attainment of the Human Right to Water and access to sanitation services.