As of: May 2007

World Water Map

Active role in international water policy

The international community of states in the United Nations has agreed goals and targets for improving the provision of safe drinking water and basic sanitation for people worldwide (Millennium Development Goals, World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Commission on Sustainable Development 2005). It has stressed the connection between poverty alleviation and sustainable use of water as a scarce resource, and the importance of integrated transboundary cooperation in the field of water resource management. These issues will again be on the agenda of the United Nations in 2008. In order to coordinate activities worldwide, a United Nations Office was established in Germany.

The Federal Environment Ministry, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation, played a major part in preparing these resolutions through a series of international events (Petersberg Process; International Conference on Freshwater / Bonn 2001). The Federal Environment Ministry is now following this up with an initiative on transboundary water management in Southeast Europe. In addition to safeguarding water quality and preserving natural habitats, an important part is played by efficient management of rivers, lakes and groundwater taking account of competing uses such as water supply, hydro power, shipping and flood control.

Several events to further intensify regional cooperation (networking and training) have taken place in the region since 2005 in close collaboration with the World Bank, the Global Water Partnership and the Global Environment Facility (an association for environmental projects). A particularly important meeting was a conference on competing uses of the Sava river.

Further Information:

• www.bmu.de/english/water-management