WWF International is concerned that preparations for the Aug 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) have so far only focused on water delivery and sanitation, "without actually ensuring there is any water available to make them work". Water shortages are primarily due to poor management, says WWF. Conserving freshwater ecosystems helps maintain the amount of water available, improves water quality through natural purification, limits the need for large-scale dams and irrigation schemes that spread water-borne diseases like malaria, and enhances food security through freshwater fisheries. WSSD preparations so far lack serious commitments to sustainable water management. The United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia are objecting to the adoption of measurable targets and funding allocations for this, while Turkey and other developing countries want to prevent agreements on transboundary water management. Instead of establishing a new water treaty, WWF wants more! political and financial support for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an existing "successful international treaty for promoting wise use of freshwater ecosystems". New institutions are also not needed, says WWF. Priority should be given to the establishment of stewardship programmes that bring government and other stakeholders together in river basin organizations.

See also the new WWF publication: Tackling poverty and promoting sustainable development : key lessons for integrated river basin management, http://www.panda.org/livingwaters/pubs.html

Contact: Jamie Pittock, Director
WWF-Living Waters Campaign
j.pittock@wwf.org.au

Source: WWF, 31 Jul 2002

WWF-Living Waters Campaign, http://www.panda.org/livingwaters/ ; Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, http://www.ramsar.org/ ; INBO - International Network of Basin Organziations, http://www.inbo-news.org/