| Issue 22. 13 December 2013 | www.un.org/waterforlifedecade |
| This week in focus | Editor’s note
The Decade's Weekly will be back on 24th January 2014. "Current energy planning and production is often made without taking into account existing and future water constraints. Planners and decision-makers in both sectors often remain ill-informed about the drivers of these challenges, how to address them, and the merits of different technical, political, management, and governance options".
>> Interviewing Diego Rodríguez from the World Bank. The World Bank convenes session "The Business Case for Integrated Energy-Water Planning and Investments" for the Zaragoza Conference. |
| #Water&Energy Preparing New Year’s activities on water and energy As the New Year approaches it's time to evaluate the multiple successes of 2013 and prepare for further development in the coming year. This year promises the opportunity for change as well as challenge, with the upcoming UN-Water Conference "Preparing for World Water Day 2014: Partnerships for improving water and energy access, efficiency and sustainability" in Zaragoza, Spain (13-16 January 2014) and World Water Day (22 March 2014). The Zaragoza Conference is just around the corner and will give us the opportunity to start the New Year in the active, informed and positive way that has so far been reflective of the Water for Life Decade. With partners, donors, international organisations, experts from the water and energy sector attending, exchanging ideas, strategies and research, this is the perfect opportunity to establish a year that will confront the typical challenges of a world dependent on water and energy. Please demonstrate your support and help to spread the word by adding a banner and a link to the Conference on your website. >> More info about the Zaragoza Conference >> Conference banners |
| In the news | Forthcoming events |
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#Water&Peace
Environment should play greater role in peacebuilding, UN reports
Natural resources - which, in many conflict-affected countries, fuel and finance armed groups - can also play a major role in bringing about sustainable peace; the United Nations has reported urging Governments and partners to integrate natural resource management in post-conflict reintegration programmes. Incorporating natural resources in peacebuilding efforts can help to mitigate potential conflicts, such as disputes over land or water, and give green jobs to former soldiers, according to a joint report released on 9 December by UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Meeting anticipated world water goals requires an annual global investment of $840 billion - $1.8 trillion over the next 20 years, but could also deliver more than $3 trillion annually in economic, environmental and social benefits, according to the recently published report Catalyzing Water for Sustainable Development and Growth. Produced by UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), this is the first report of its kind to offer an evidence-based analysis of the opportunities available for water integration in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report focuses on such benefits as direct economic return, livelihood creation, health system savings, and the preservation of nature’s ecosystem services, among other benefits. |
#Land&Water
Near East & North Africa Land and Water Days
Date: 15-18 December 2013 The inherent scarcity of land and water resources in the Near East and the North Africa (NENA) Region is accentuated by the looming threat of climate change and unprecedented levels of pressure on natural resources stemming from persistent high population growth, inadequate consumption patterns and rapid urbanization. The achievement of effective and sustainable management of land and water is thus critical for food security in the Region. This event will focus on land and water management-technologies, approaches and modalities, to secure sustained improvements on the ground and improved resilience.
Date: 16-17 December 2013 This workshop will serve as a final step in the process of developing the UN-Water paper on a global water goal for the post-2015 development agenda. During the workshop, participants will also discuss UN-Water follow-up action related to national consultations, data collection, monitoring and reporting and other aspects in relation to water goal implementation. |
- International Conference on the Political Economy of Water: A Social Work Response
The College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, lndia, is organizing an International Conference on ’The Political Economy of Water: A Social Work Response’ from 19 to 21 December 2013 to examine specific nuances of water scarcity and develop viable social work intervention strategies based on the experiences of successful intervention models. This conference has joined the Water for Life Decade’s campaign and will include the Decade’s logo in the conference venue, publications and in the final report.
>> Contact
- "La Valmuza" Foundation
"La Valmuza" Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 that brings together a number of people from different professional backgrounds and experience in the field of development and cooperation. Its work in developing countries focuses on the first level of human needs, addressing basic needs such as food security, access to water and sanitation, basic education and primary health. The Foundation has joined the Water for Life Decade’s campaign and will use its logo and the Decade’s materials for information purposes and training in the field of education for development.
- Master on governance, water management and environment
The Master on governance, water management and environment from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, has joined the Water for Life Decade’s campaign engaging itself with international development goals on water and sanitation. In this connection, and within the framework of the studies, researches and specific training aligned with the commitments of the Decade will be promoted.
>> Contact