The High Level International Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005-2015, took place last week. June 8-10, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
77 governments attended, including Canada, which was represented by Stefan Miller, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Tajikistan.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development reports that participants focused on six themes:
- accelerating progress towards water-related internationally-agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and ensuring involvement of women;
- transboundary water cooperation;
- water quality;
- water resources and adaptation to climate change, disaster risks reduction;
- sustainable financing;
- Integrated Water Resource Management, energy, agriculture and food security.
They note, “The outcome of the High Level Conference consists of a number of conclusions and recommendations contained in the Dushanbe Declaration on Water, which will be submitted to the UN General Assembly at its 65th session by the Government of Tajikistan.”
The Declaration highlights, “Access to safe drinking water and sanitation, which is recognized by some countries as a human right, is inextricably linked to life, health, development, food, housing, education, physical security and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment. The realization of this can be promoted through national efforts, with the appropriate international support.”
The 38-point Declaration can be read at http://climate-l.org/2010/06/11/international-conference-carries-out-mid-term-review-of-international-water-decade/.
The conference website is at http://waterconference2010.tj/.
