The International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2012/2013 'Preparing for the 2013 International Year. Water Cooperation: Making it Happen!' that took place in Zaragoza, Spain, from 8 to 10 January 2013, focused on how to make cooperation happen.

>> Message from H.E. Mr. Rahmat Bobokalonov, Minister of Land Reclamation and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan to the participants of the International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference

>> Conference Photo Gallery

>> Conference dailies
>> Conference interviews
>> Cases on water cooperation
>> Conference final report
>> Information briefs
>> Key lessons learnt on water cooperation
>> Presentations from participants
>> Video interviews with conference participants
>> Video recording of sessions

>> Press release. Thursday, 10 January 2013
>> Press release. Monday 7 January 2013

“The conference described some tools, institutions and practices that proved successful in enhancing cooperation. This is invaluable information. The future generations will rely on water cooperation.”

Brice Lalonde is Executive coordinator of Rio+20, United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA).

>> Full interview

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“We expect that IYWC will provide a profound ground for efforts and activities worldwide and contribute to addressing current and emerging water related challenges, as well as to discussions on post-2015 development agenda related to water, including the ongoing intergovernmental deliberations on sustainable development goals on water and sanitation”

Ambassador Sirodjidin M. Aslov is Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations.

>> Full interview

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“Understanding the mechanisms, in which water is used, polluted and in some cases de-polluted and how societies interfere with the hydrological cycle in quantity and quality provides the scientific platform to discuss the way in which different users have to cooperate to achieve environmental sustainability”

Blanca Jiménez is Director of the Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO.

>> Full interview

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“The conclusion of specific agreements and the establishment of joint bodies (such as river and lake commissions) has proved to be the most efficient way of advancing cooperation of the riparians.”

Iulia Trombitcaia isEnvironmental Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

>> Full interview

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“Hungary is organising a meeting called 'Budapest Water summit 2013' to be held in October 9-11 in Budapest. We consider it as an important milestone in our endeavour of making efforts to give water high profile in the international political processes as started in 2011 during our EU presidency and continued in the run up to the Rio+20 conference and its follow up including the Friends of Water process and other activities.”

Péter Kovács is State Secretary for Water, Ministry of Rural Development, Hungary

>> Full interview

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“Some of the world's most intractable water challenges manifest in urban areas, and there are numerous emerging examples of how cross-sectoral collaboration can play a significant role in addressing some of them.”

Jason Morrison is Technical Director of the CEO Water Mandate.

>> Full interview

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"Trust is essential to real cooperation. Very little comes out of relationships that are unequal or forced. Not-for-profit relationships are relatively free from the power disparities that prevent meaningful cooperation.”

Faraj El-Awar is Programme manager of the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA)

>> Full interview