5th World Water Forum, 16-22 March 2009
The Coordination Unit of the Pacific Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Water Management is the focal point for the Oceania component of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, and has been asked to assist in drafting and finalizing the Pacific sub-regional part of the Regional Position Paper for Asia and the Pacific, which is to be presented at the 5th World Water Forum, 16-22 March 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The 3rd Progress Report of the Pacific Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Water Management, presented at the Partnership Steering Committee in Apia, Samoa (September, 2008) served as a discussion document for the Pacific Position Paper for the World Water Forum (5WWF) allowing the Pacific region’s stakeholders in water and sanitation to reflect on the strategic developments over the past 3 years. Inputs to the final version of the Pacific position paper were provided through the Science, Technology and Research network (STAR) Water Working Group meeting in November 2008 in Tuvalu in association with SOPAC’s 37th Annual Session as well as other 
regional water and wastewater consultations and meetings. Dr Jan Gregor of ESR has been so kind to provide support in finalising the document which will be presented under the Asia Pacific Regional Theme at 5WWF.
Following the Pacific Leaders’ attendance at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit hosted by Japan in Beppu at the end of 2007, the Ministerial Conference to be held at 5WWF will provide an opportunity for politicians and elected officials from Pacific Island Countries, not only responsible for water, environment, agriculture or energy policies, but also for finance or other domains, to take part in the political process of the Forum.
Of particular interest for Pacific Island Countries are the following events:
The 3rd Progress Report of the Pacific Partnership Initiative on Sustainable Water Management, presented at the Partnership Steering Committee in Apia, Samoa (September, 2008) served as a discussion document for the Pacific Position Paper for the World Water Forum (5WWF) allowing the Pacific region’s stakeholders in water and sanitation to reflect on the strategic developments over the past 3 years. Inputs to the final version of the Pacific position paper were provided through the Science, Technology and Research network (STAR) Water Working Group meeting in November 2008 in Tuvalu in association with SOPAC’s 37th Annual Session as well as other regional water and wastewater consultations and meetings. Dr Jan Gregor of ESR has been so kind to provide support in finalising the document which will be presented under the Asia Pacific Regional Theme at 5WWF. Following the Pacific Leaders’ attendance at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit hosted by Japan in Beppu at the end of 2007, the Ministerial Conference to be held at 5WWF will provide an opportunity for politicians and elected officials from Pacific Island Countries, not only responsible for water, environment, agriculture or energy policies, but also for finance or other domains, to take part in the political process of the Forum.
Of particular interest for Pacific Island Countries are the following events:
- the presentation of Guidelines for Water Management in Islands, Coastal and Isolated Areas by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) on 16 March
session 3 on ‘Local Actions’ under topic 1.1 “Adapting to climate change in water resources and water services: understanding the impacts of climate change, vulnerability assessments and adaptation measures” by CPWC, IWA, WWC and IUCN on 17 March- the presentation of the Asia-Pacific Regional Document by the Asia-Pacific Water Forum Secretariat on 20 March
Pacific attendees to the 5th World Water Forum can contact the SOPAC Secretariat to obtain further information on papers, presentations and controbutions relevant to small island countries. The sub-regional paper as well as other related 5WWF documents can be downloaded from the following link: 5th World Water Forum, Istanbul, Turkey, from 16 to 22 March 2009 (www.worldwaterforum5.org/)
For more information please contact:
Marc Overmars
Water Adviser
SOPAC Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission
Postal Address: Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva, Fiji Islands
Street Address: Mead Road, Nabua, Fiji Islands
Tel: +679 338 1377 Fax: +679 337 0040
E-mail: marc@sopac.org
For more information please contact:
Marc Overmars Water Adviser
SOPAC Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission
Postal Address: Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva, Fiji Islands
Street Address: Mead Road, Nabua, Fiji Islands
Tel: +679 338 1377 Fax: +679 337 0040
E-mail: marc@sopac.org
