It was wet and dark when we arrived, but meeting up with some old water week and world water forum friends cheered me up. Then, down to work.
Our WBCSD booth looks good. We are promoting the customization of our Global Water Tool for the Oil and Gas, and the Utility sectors and there is a already lot of interest. They will be launched tomorrow at our stand (EH05:41) at 18.00. All are invited.
Interesting take-outs from sessions so far:
In the UN water session I was a bit surprised to learn that this coordinating unit for the water efforts will be led by the Secretary General of the World Metrological Organization. The upgrade of this position is meant to illustrate the importance of water in the UN System. With no extra resources allocated to water this may be just one of those cosmetic moves. But I am sure that with Bert Diphorn from UN Habitat as the new UN Water vice chair, all hands will be on deck to raise the water level in the UN.
An unexpected development was the news that the 2013 UN Water year will be named “Water and Cooperation”; who invented such an un inspirational theme? After the water and food for 2012, water and energy for 2013 seemed so logical.
The Water Week Advisory board discussed the draft Stockholm Water Week Statement. The Statement asks governments to take action on proposed ambitious water efficiency targets. But governments alone cannot not achieve them. Efficiency can only be achieved if all stakeholders , including business , can rally behind them.
And finally: I’d forgotten that some time ago Björn Stigson and I submitted a paper for On the Water Front 2010, Volume 2. on Pathways to Improved Water. This was published electronically just before the conference. Good timing, but that is one of the strengths of SIWI communications.
