The official opening of the World Water Week in Stockholm (24 August 2015) was marked by world leaders, water experts and development professionals who gathered to discuss, exchange views, experiences and shape joint solutions to global water challenges.
Published on: 24/08/2015
This event, welcomed over 3,000 participants from more than 120 countries to Stockholm, representing governments, academia, international organisations, civil society, the corporate sector, and many others.
The theme of the August 23-28 World Water Week, hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), is "Water for Development" and topics to be covered include climate change, food and nutrition, water and conflict, social instability and health. The theme is in tune with the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which expire this year, and which for the past 15 years had focused attention on the needs of poor nations, including boosting access to clean water and sanitation. A new set of goals called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be adopted at the UN next month, will build on the MDGs for the next 15 years.
This year, a decision on the SDGs will be followed by a new climate deal at COP21 in France. Water's role in these processes, and in development, is crucial.
In his opening address, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven said "when the international community is shaping a new sustainable development agenda, water management and allocation must be at its heart. Not only as a separate goal but as an essential vehicle for development and health."
The Prime Minister of Jordan; Abdulla Ensour, described the extreme pressure his country is under due to the combination of water scarcity and a very large refugee population, and emphasised the importance of regional cooperation over water.
During World Water Week, three prizes are awarded, to recognize excellence in the water world. On Sunday, the Stockholm Industry Water Award was awarded to CH2M, a Colorado-based global service and engineering company, for developing and advancing methods to clean water, and increasing public acceptance of recycled water.
On the, 25 August, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize will be awarded to one national team out of the 29 competing nations by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
On Wednesday 26 August, the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize will be awarded to Rajendra Singh of India, for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need. The prize will be awarded to Rajendra Singh by H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, during a ceremony in Stockholm City Hall.
