• Redner/in: Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Simone Probst
• Anlass: The second meeting of the International Steering Committee for the Preparation of the International Conference on Fresh Water
• Datum/Ort: December 2001, Bonn

Welcome
Members of the Steering Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and of the German government, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. Most of you havetravelled a long way to come to the second meeting of the Steering Committee here in Potsdam, to contribute your experience, knowledge and creativity to the preparations for the InternationalConference on Fresh Water. Thank you very much for accepting our invitation.

Sustainable Development
The International Conference on Fresh Water is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Co operation and Development - you met Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Uschi Eid at the firstmeeting of the Steering Committee last October in Hanover - and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, to which I belong.

We all bear responsibility for the protection of the global environment, although this responsibility varies according to the local and regional conditions. The global challenges facing mankindimplementing the objectives of sustainable development cannot be met by countries acting individually. Activities must be undertaken by all the stakeholders. Initiatives for strengthening jointinternational efforts for the protection of the environment are a prime concern of German policy.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in Johannesburg next year, is both an opportunity and a commitment for all of us. It will not only allow us to take stock of achievementsten years after Rio. But it will also help to make clear advances towards the goal of sustainable development aiming at constructive implementation plans and innovative initiatives. The topics of theWorld Summit have not yet been officially specified but we all know what are the most pressing global, regional and national fields of action necessary to implement the goal of sustainabledevelopment

When speaking of global dangers to the environment, climate change is probably the first that comes to mind. After the suspension of the sixth World Climate Conference in The Hague last November,global policy on climate change entered a critical and decisive phase. The German government will do all in its power to support the Bonn Conference, so that this second chance brings success. Asuccessful conclusion in July would enable the Kyoto Protocol to enter into force before the end of 2002. To ensure that ten years after Rio effective measures against climate change are finallybeing undertaken would indeed be a major gesture.

If we consider the world's urgent regional, national and local problems, however, finding a solution to the acute world wide water crisis stands high on the list of priorities; for in many partsof the world this is often a question of very survival, particularly for the poorer sections of the population. Against this background, we feel that the International Freshwater Conference mustunderline the link to poverty.

International Water Policy

Ladies and Gentlemen, In many regions of the world, water is the limiting factor for all further economic and social development. This fact is pushed by population increase, urban sprawl andglobalisation. The emerging change in climatic conditions adds further weight to the problem. The effects of this on the fresh water sector are evident. It is not without reason that the Conferencewill also consider the issues of flooding and drought.

Human health, food production, agriculture and trade are also closely linked to the quality and quantity of useable fresh water.

On the other hand, progress in sustainable development and the management of water resources can pay an immediate and high "human and environmental dividend". Improvements in the water situationallow win-win options with direct and positive effects on the people's quality of living.

Of key importance to solving the problems of fresh water is a policy marked by the integration of various fields of interest, needs and groups in society. The economical use of water inagriculture, industry and local communities, and a responsible use of water bodies for fisheries, transport and energy production is essential.

Sustainable water management also means protecting aquatic ecosystems and taking their water requirements into consideration, not least in order to preserve the water bodies for human use..

Water Policy in Germany

It may interest you to learn that in Germany we have also undergone an extensive and continuing learning process in the management of our water resources. But up to now, national water protectionlegislation which is the result of this learning process has promoted rather than damaged economic development.

Germany has favourable climatic conditions. It is not one of the dry countries, but it is a densely populated and highly industrialised country. After the Second World War until thenineteenseventies Germany underwent a phase of intensive economic growth. This was accompanied by high levels of water and air pollution and unregulated waste disposal. The resulting scarcity ofnatural resources posed a threat to economic growth.

This experience is certainly shared by countries which are also going through a dynamic phase of growth and development.

We concluded from this experience that sustainable water management must take into consideration the precautionary principle. That is that the water supply systems must not be planned or operatedwithout waste water disposal. Waste water from local communities and industry must undergo comprehensive treatment. For us another fundamental principle of sustainable water management is thepolluter pays principle. Users and polluters of water must bear the costs of treating and providing clean water.

Consequently there are strong incentives to develop water-saving production techniques. We promote the multiple use of water by closed water cycles in industry. and we also encourage rationalwater management among private consumers.

Finally, our experience has shown that an integrated management approach is important. It should be implemented on the basis of water catchment basins. This requires local and regional cooperation from upstream and downstream parties in a catchment area. Germany has long been co operating in various ways with neighbouring countries. Germany has a wealth of experience with regard tothe management of water bodies which extend beyond national or Länder boundaries.

Our experience has taught us that the potential for conflicts arising over water bodies only unfolds in connection with other causes. Water is not usually the only source of conflicts. On thecontrary, co operation in water issues can be a catalyst for regional co operation.

After the adoption of the EU Water Framework Directive, Germany now faces new challenges in water protection. The Directive aims to protect water bodies, and improve their quality and quantity .It will set new and progressive focal points for the European Union's water policy. Management plans for river basin districts are a key element: Under these, measures will be agreed and there willalso be transboundary co ordination for implementing them. The plans must also formally incorporate participation of the parties concerned. Implementing the Directive provides access to an integratedmanagement of surface water bodies, of groundwater and of coastal waters. This will lead to better integration of water protection aspects into other political and economic sectors.

I would like to mention one final aspect: In Germany too there is currently intense debate on the possibilities of privatising water management - which at present is at first the responsibility oflocal authorities. In Germany we have long applied the principle of full cost recovery for water and waste water services. In view of the high level of capital required to renovate and developmunicipal facilities, many see privatisation as a chance to reduce costs. I don't wish to hide the fact that the issue of privatisation is a subject of controversial debate in Germany. To date, theGerman government has not taken a definite stand for or against privatisation. German law, however, gives local authorities scope to make their own decisions. This has led to a number ofmunicipalities - including very large cities - taking the route towards privatisation.
Up to now, the coexistence of private and municipal providers has had a positive effect in improving efficiency and transparency in the provision of general services at municipal level.

Expectations from the Conference and the Steering Committee

At the International Conference on Fresh Water we hope to discuss specific experiences and good examples from the international water debates and concrete options on how our well-known objectives canbe achieved. We must break away from general declarations, and move towards concrete action, using tried cases and tested examples. Solutions will only be found if politics has the courage to try newmethods, if the business sector becomes more involved and if there is a wider participation of all members of civil society. We hope that the Conference will make recommendations which will make amajor step forward on the international agenda and which will contribute to a successful outcome of the World Summit in Johannesburg.

As participants of the first meeting of this Steering Committee, you have already given extremely valuable input. Over the next two days you will discuss in greater detail the form and content ofthe Conference. It would be wonderful if the Committee could give further focus to the topics, and identify priorities.

To conclude, on behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry, I would like to thank the Secretariat and staff sincerely for the commitment shown. In my opinion, you have created excellent workingconditions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would again like to welcome you here in Potsdam. In the main hall of this building negotiations of great importance have already taken place. It was here that at the end of the Second World War, inthe summer 1945, the Allied Forces laid down the political order for post-war Europe. Looking back, we can see that although the history of Europe has by no means been free of tension or sufferingsince then, the foundations laid down here have ultimately been the prerequisite for peace and development in this part of the world.

I trust that you will feel at ease on this historical site, and wish you productive and stimulating discussions.