World Water Forum

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has slammed the Ministerial Declaration adopted at the 5th World Water Forum.

CEMR states the declaration fails to recognize the responsibilities of local and regional governments for developing water and sanitation strategies. The declaration also paid little attention to the outcome of the two-day local and regional authorities meetings on water related issues.

The main purpose of these days, organized by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and Local Governments for Sustainability, in partnership with the World Water Council, was to look at the common challenges for local water and sanitation management such as climate change, urbanization and management systems.

Louis Le Pensec, president of the French section of CEMR (AFCCRE), told CEMR: “This Declaration is a real step back in comparison with the Declaration of the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico in 2006."

“Representatives of States around the globe had then formally recognised the important role of local authorities in developing access to water and sanitation services, as well as the necessity of an efficient cooperation.”

To read the full Ministerial Declaration click here.

For more on the World Water Forum click here. 

Last Updated: 2009. 04. 01. 13:58:45 By Charlotte Jacques