Opening of Stockholm World Water Week 2012: call for sustainable solutions to ensure food for all

“In less than 40 years’ time, the world's population will have increased by a third to 9 billion people. Each and every one of these individuals will want access to basic goods and services starting with food, clean water and sanitation, shelter and education as well as health care.”

Calls for new ideas

At the opening ceremony of the World Water Week 2012 the Hon. Ms Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden, shared two key reflections she brought back from her recent visit to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro.  

One is the need for innovation and collaboration with corporations and small businesses. Ms Carlsson noted that the needs are significant and far beyond the reach of just the donor community and we need to find new approaches to investments, and not least new partners. In seeking these partnerships, we need to be open-minded and look for new and fresh ideas, and for actors complementing the traditional channels and partnerships among international organisations, she emphasised.

The other is that, a positive political environment with democratic values and leadership is essential in addressing water and food security at the national level. Ms Carlsson also acknowledged that democratic governance with respect for human dignity and for human rights is key if we are to find solutions to the global challenges that affect us all.

For water and food security to be possible at the national level there has to be a positive political and economic climate. To achieve this, efforts to prevent or resolve armed conflicts are essential.

In addition she said that democratic governance and human rights, responsible leadership, effective rule of law and functioning institutions that are free from corruption and that support sustainable growth and international trade are all fundamental to both water and food security, and society as a whole. Therefore, the basic premise for global sustainability is a people-centred approach: sustainable development must consider the rights, needs and influence of everyone. When people are empowered they are truly inspiring entrepreneurs.

As populations continue to grow, they will inevitably need energy. They will also need new technology, better communication and transport. She emphasised that the solutions must be radically more sustainable than we have managed so far.

Sustainability

In his welcome speech, Mr Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm, Sweden, congratulated Mr Torgny Holmgren, the incoming Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute and expressed optimism that the World Water Week would come up with real actions and solutions to address the water and food related challenges that continue to affect many people in the world.

Speaker after speaker acknowledged the current challenges in regard to water and food security whilst sharing examples of innovation and success from their countries.

Also speaking at the opening session was this year's Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, the International Water Management Institute, represented by the Director General Dr Colin Chartres. He held the annual Laureate Lecture on what has to be done to deliver sustainable intensification of agriculture and food security and how future farming systems have to be in harmony with the environment, rather than impacting adversely on it, if we are to maintain life supporting and enhancing ecosystem services.

Contributions from other speakers

Mr Sanjeev Chadha, President, Middle East and Africa, PepsiCo Inc. “The PepsiCo Foundation and the Columbia Water Center are working together to meet their goals through action and research at multiple levels: to develop and promote water saving technologies, and to develop business models for rural water infrastructure provision to understand and influence how changes in energy and water subsidies can be effected to facilitate more efficient use.”

Dr José Graziano da Silva, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations pointed out that agriculture was a thirsty activity. However, it also holds the key to sustainable water use.

It was an interesting and inspiring opening of the World Water Week 2012, which will be packed with intense discussions, exchanges and discoveries.

You can also watch the opening on http://www.worldwaterweek.org/sa/node.asp?node=1610

By Vera van der Grift, IRC