Resolution on Water Management
16th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA – PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
21 – 24 January 2008, Auckland, New Zealand
Resolution on Water Management
APPF16/RES/14
(Sponsored by New Zealand and Russia)
THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM,
Noting that water is the resource that sustains all life on earth and is a key element of sustainable development;
Noting that the Asia-Pacific region has the lowest per-capita fresh water availability of any of the world's regions, and the highest number of people living below the poverty line;
Bearing in mind that intensive future development of the Asia- Pacific region, in conjunction with population growth, will magnify the already existing shortage of water resources;
Supporting efforts by parliaments and governments of the Asia-Pacific region to establish efficient mechanisms for encouraging joint water management efforts and accelerating the process of efficient integration of water resource management in the course of the Asia- Pacific region's socioeconomic development;
Welcoming the regular staging of meetings at the highest and senior level, including the Asia-Pacific Water Summit, at which heads of government, private sector and civil society representatives will demonstrate a leading role in adopting decisions, preeminence in practice, in innovation and specific results, which make a significant impact at the initial level;
Recognising that the United Nations Millennium Assembly Declaration set 2015 as the target date for halving the population that is unable to access or to afford safe drinking water;
Reaffirming the importance of protecting and restoring river and lake basins, as the main source of fresh water resources, given that human beings are dependent on the 1 % of freshwater that is accessible through such sources;
Reaffirming that protection of water-land zones, such as mangrove forests, rice fields, wetlands and forests not only strengthens the health of ecosystems, but may also restore groundwater resources and, in general, improve the quality of life;
Pointing to the requirement for investments in new infrastructure to be accompanied by greater investments in education, helping the population utilise the new infrastructure to its full capacity;
RESOLVES TO:
- Urge the maximum possible regional cooperation, at the level of politicians, officials, and communities, on matters of water management, sustainable development of water resources, and effective risk management around water supply;
- Call upon state bodies and nongovernmental organisations of the Asia-Pacific region to develop a common platform and opinion for formulating regional strategies and creating beneficial conditions for the successful resolution of water problems, including the provision of investment needs;
- Call the APPF member countries to ensure that overseas development programmes incorporate an adequate recognition of the importance of improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
- Recommend that governments promote public campaigns and media advertisements for improving public awareness and understanding of key water issues, problems and methods for their resolution.
