Table 1
Summary of International Events in promoting Sustainable Development of Water Resources
International events
1. Global Consultation on
Safe Water and Sanitation
for the 1990s in New
Delhi 1990;
Details
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Protection of the environment and safeguarding of health through the
integrated management of water resources and liquid and solid wastes.
Institutional reforms promoting an integrated approach, including
changes in procedures, attitudes and behaviour, and the full
participation of women at all levels in sector institutions.
Community management of services, backed by measures to
strengthen local institutions in implementing and sustaining water
and sanitation programmes.
Sound financial practices, achieved through better management of
existing assets, and widespread use of appropriate technologies.
2. The International
Conference on Water
and the Environment in
Dublin, Ireland, 1992
Four IWRM Guiding Principles were formulated:
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Freshwater is a finite and vulnerable resource.
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Water development and management should be based on a
participatory approach.
●●
Women play a central part in the provision, management and
safeguarding of water.
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Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be
recognised as an economic good.
3. United Nations
Conference Environment
and Development in Rio
de Janeiro, 1992
Agenda 21 Chapter 18 – Protection of the Quality and Supply of Freshwater
Resources: Application of Integrated Approaches to the Development,
Management and Use of Water Resources. The following programme areas
have been proposed for the freshwater sector:
●●
Integrated water resources development and management;
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Water resources assessment;
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Protection of water resources, water quality and aquatic ecosystems;
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Drinking-water supply and sanitation;
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Water and sustainable urban development;
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Water for sustainable food production and rural development;
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Impact of climate change on water resources.
4. Millennium
Development Goals, 2002
GOAL 7 ensures environmental sustainability:
●●
Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country
policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental
resources.
●●
Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable
access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
5. World Summit on
Sustainable Development
(WSSD) , Johannesburg,
South Africa, 2002
●●
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6. Global Sustainable
Development, 2015
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation has been formulated to
promote the integration of the three components of sustainable
development (i) economic development, (ii) social development
and (iii) environmental protection as interdependent and mutually
reinforcing pillars.
A major step for calling all countries to develop integrated water
resources management and water efficiency plan by 2005, with
support to developing countries.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation:
●●
Universal access to clean water and sanitation is one of 17 Global
Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An
integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.
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