Australia will host 200 leaders from the public and private sector, including government ministers, business and civil society leaders and leading scientists at a historic summit on water scarcity and drought on 10 October this year
The summit will be a part of the World Water Congress and Exhibition taking place from 9-14 October 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.
According to event organisers, droughts have become more frequent and water scarcity has grown in severity in all regions of the world. This is driven both by climate change and poor water management. The World Economic Forum ranks water security as the top global risk facing societies, economies and businesses over the next decade.
International Water Association (IWA) executive director Dr. Ger Bergkamp said, “The effects of water scarcity and drought will only intensify if we do not act. 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.”
“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,” he added.
