Slow progress on sanitation will cause the world to badly fail the Millennium Development Goals while weak policy, poor management, increasing waste and exploding water demands are pushing the planet towards the tipping point of global water crisis. Action is crucial, stakes are high and time is running out were key messages coming from the 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm.

Sanitation and hygiene, climate, water management, ecosystems and business issues were prominent programme focal points discussed by 2400 scientists, leaders from governments and civil society during the week. Attention was brought to the "water footprint" of consumers, business, industry and agriculture and what individuals and business can do to measure and reduce their impact on shrinking water resources.

Contact: Stephanie Blenckner, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Sweden, stephanie.blenckner@siwi.org

Source: SIWI, 04 Sep 2008

Tags: policies & legislation, sanitation, water resources management, water supply