Brief report about the 4th World Water Forum
1. The outline of the forum
To discuss deteriorating worldwide water problems, the 4th World Water Forum was held at Banamex Center in Mexico City, Mexico from March 16 to March 22 for 7 days.
Under the main theme of “Local Actions for a Global Challenge”, there were 5 themes set for discussions on each day from 17th to 21st. Five themes were “Water for Growth and Development”, “Implementing IWRM”, “Water Supply and Sanitation for All”, “Water Management for Food and the Environment” and “Risk management”.
The forum attracted more than 19 thousand people from 141 countries and regions for discussions. At the forum, according to the Tsunami disaster occurred by the Sumatra off-shore earthquake in the end of 2004 and the flood disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina, participants discussed risk management for natural disasters.
After the opening ceremony, Hassan II Great World Water Prize award ceremony and thematic roundtable discussions etc. were took place on March 16, the first day of the forum. On the second day, March 17, the Crown Price of Japan gave the keynote speech on “Edo and Water Transportation”. The seven-day- long forum closed very successfully with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration that stressed the importance of water for the sustainable development to eradicate poverty and starvation etc.”
2. Activities of Japan Water Agency
Japan Water Agency (JWA) exhibited the booth in “World Water Expo” to appeal the importance of water and introduce its role and projects from March 16 to March 21. The booth was set up in “Japan Pavilion” in the “World Water Expo” at Banamex Center. In Japan Pavilion, 25 public organizations including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and private companies set up their booths.
Japan Water Agency put up 4 panels, distributed several pamphlets about the outline of JWA, Tokuyama Dam etc. and played three different promotion videos about JWA, Aich Canal project and Lake Biwa Comprehensive Development project on the PC.
Along with the booth exhibition, Japan Water Agency distributed PET bottled water to visitors at the reception desk of Japan Pavilion to appeal the importance of water. Other than JWA, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Osak City and some other municipalities also distributed bottled water produced by them. Water distributed by JWA was taken from the headwaters of Ara River where Urayamadam was completed and Takizawa Dam is under construction by JWA.
The former Prime Minister of Japan visited Japan Pavilion on March 17, the Crown Prince of Japan visited Japan Pavilion on March 17 and the Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also visited the pavilion on March 21.
Explanation to visitors at JWA booth
Bottled water distributed by JWA (right)
Inside Banamex center
Keynote speech by the Crown Price of Japan