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In December 2017, UN Member States adopted the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the International Decade for Action on ‘Water for Sustainable Development’ for the decade 2018-2028. In response to the ambitious 2030 Agenda, the Water Action Decade will accelerate efforts towards meeting water-related challenges, including limited access to safe water and sanitation, depleting water resources, fragile ecosystems, and an exacerbated risk of droughts and floods.
Indeed, global climate-related challenges are placing more pressure on water resources management than ever before. Issues like water affordability, scarcity and resilience in the face of severe weather patterns, and water quality concerns are impacting water systems and citizens across the region, especially in the still developing part of Asia.
While irrigation accounts for more than two-thirds of total water demand Asia, demand from cities and for power generation is increasing and, so is the inequality in its distribution, calling for more effective water policies and governance structures within states but also within the region. Tensions arising from growing competition over water could spark further migration from water-poor regions, to which the emerging economies of Asia are particularly prone to. Tackling water issues remains key to not only safeguard social cohesion in the region but also to promoting economic growth in developing Asia.
Now, given the manyfold challenges and the vital importance of water as a global resource - especially in the context of (transboundary) distribution conflicts as in the case of the Mekong River or for the clean energy transition, the topics covered in this conference span from raising awareness of water as a global resource to natural water management and risks, climate-adapted further development of water infrastructures, energy, material cycle issues, and the efficiency of administrative bodies.

The event is semi-public. If you wish to participate, kindly send an e-mail to Mr. Moritz Fink (moritz.fink@kas.de) or register here: https://bit.ly/RSVPSustainableWaterManagement

Here you will find the program for download: 23-12-06 Preliminary Programme Sustainable Water Management in Emerging Asia (2).pdf