On 10 October 2016 in Brisbane, Australia, 200 leaders from the public and private sector, including government ministers, business and civil society leaders, and leading scientists will take part in a historic Summit on water scarcity and drought.
The Summit will launch the world’s first public-private action-agenda solely dedicated to water scarcity and drought: DroughtAction. It will enable participating countries, organisations and water-dependent companies to discuss and agree what needs to be done in order to meet key elements of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Driven both by climate change and poor water management, droughts are becoming more frequent and water scarcity is growing in severity in all regions of the world. The World Economic Forum ranks water security as the top global risk facing societies, economies and businesses over the next decade
Gary Jones, Chief Executive of the Australian Water Partnership which represents over 100 Australian public and private sector organisations and is co-organising the Summit with the International Water Association, commented:
“As a country where managing drought and water scarcity has always been an absolute necessity, Australia – the host country for the Drought & Scarcity Summit – has had to put into practice the idea that water is a scarce economic good, to be allocated and used efficiently and wisely, for the benefit of all people.”
Water scarcity and drought affects four billion people, and impairs cities, industries and the environment. In all these areas building resilience to drought and scarcity requires global leadership from a range of stakeholders. DroughtAction will initially comprise the leadership from 20 companies, governments in 12 countries, organizations, civil society and academia.
The summit will be a part of the World Water Congress and Exhibition which takes place from 9th to 14th October 2016 in Brisbane. Hosting keynotes, roundtables and plenary discussions, it will debate effective policy and institutions, best approaches, effective technologies to reduce water demand and losses, reuse of water, desalination, replenishment and refilling reservoirs.
Dr. Ger Bergkamp, Executive Director, the International Water Association (IWA) said:
“The effects of water scarcity and drought will only intensify if we do not act. There are many strengthening mechanisms that need to be put into place to ensure lasting change. These mechanisms include: sharing information and knowledge, spreading best practices and mobilising public and private investments. All together these initiatives will generate the momentum necessary to address water scarcity and drought.”
The International Water Association is a non-profit organisation with members in more than 130 countries – its work includes driving best practice through international frameworks and standards.
Click here to visit the IWA website
Click here to visit the DroughtAction website
The International Water Association is a non-profit organisation with members in more than 130 countries – its work includes driving best practice through international frameworks and standards. www.iwa-network.org
The Australian Water Partnership represents over 100 Australian public and private sector organisations that work to enhance the sustainable management of water resources in the Indo-Pacific region.
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