Water for a Sustainable WorldPreliminary messages from the

WWDR 2015

“Water and sustainable development: From vision to action”

15 to 17 January 2015, Zaragoza, Spain

Richard ConnorLead Author

Water is at the core of sustainable development

From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth,

affecting the livelihoods of billions.

Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The consequences of

unsustainable growth

• Rising water demand and its impacts

• Status of water resources

• Additional constraints and challenges:

- Persistent poverty- Inequitable access- Insufficient financing- Data and

information

Average annual total renewable water resources, 2011 (m3 per capita per year)

Water and the three dimensions of sustainable development

Social development Access to water is linked to poverty. Reducing poverty through water management is a useful pro-poor framework for action

Economic developmentWater is an essential resource for economic production and an ‘enabler’ of trade for most types of goods and services

Environmental developmentHealthy ecosystems are required for continuous supply of water and other services vital for human well-being and development

Addressing critical developmental issues

• WASH• Urbanisation• Food and agriculture

• Energy• Industry• Climate change

Challenges and benefits of water in addressing critical developmental issues

WASH remains a critical challenge across Africa and in parts of the Latin America/Caribbean and Asia/Pacific regions.

The increase in the number of people without access to water and sanitation in urban areas is directly related to the rapid growth of slum populations in the developing world

Challenges and benefits of water in addressing critical developmental issues

Energy production is generally

water-intensive.

Challenges and benefits of water in addressing critical developmental issues

The current growth rates of agricultural demands on the world’s freshwater

resources are unsustainable.

Industrialization can drive development and provide

opportunities for gender equality and youth employment.

Climate variability and change will affect water present and future water availability.

Challenges and benefits of water in addressing critical developmental issues

Responses and means of implementation

• The post-2015 development agenda

Responses and means of implementation

Water Governance

Minimizing risks and maximizing benefits

Social Equality

Conclusions

Good progress, but still some way to go:

over the last two decades with 2.3 billion people gained access to an improved drinking water source and 1.9 billion to an improved sanitation facility, but much still remains to be accomplished.

2015-2030 will be a critical period to continue on the path to sustainable development

Launch of the WWDR 2015 on

March 20

Save the Date!

Thank you

www.unesco.org/water/wwap