“Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment”
14–20 May 2013, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Welcome to the homepage of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit (2nd APWS) entitled: “Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment” to be held back-to-back with the Technical Workshops and Exhibitions on 14th– 20th May 2013 at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Thailand will host the 2nd APWS in collaboration with the APWF and supporting regional and international organizations. The 2nd APWS will focus on the theme Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment and three policy priorities for water security: Development, Shocks and Resilience, and Human Well-being. The Summit aims to present the Royal Initiatives of His Majesty the King of Thailand as the best practice for sustainable water resources management, to promote active dialogues among regional leaders on water-related policy priorities and commitments, and to facilitate more effective regional cooperation in water security in Asia and the Pacific. It will provide Asia-Pacific leaders and stakeholders from all sectors dealing with various water-related problems, as well as the international community, an opportunity to jointly realize water-related issues and challenges with concrete solutions.
The 2nd APWS is organized by the Royal Thai Government in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Water Forum and its international and regional partners. The national host organizations of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit are the Office of the Prime Minister through the Office of the Water and Flood Management Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment through the Department of Water Resources.
Leaders and Water Security
Water resources are significant as a source of livelihoods, a vector of pathogens, a potent force behind extreme events and natural disasters, and also a mechanism for cooperation among governments and communities. Leadership in water security is therefore of utmost importance, and securing water resources and their services for national economic and social development stability is probably the most important element of the national leaders’ role and/or the national agenda.
n the Asia-Pacific region, the population growth coupled with industrialization and urbanization have resulted in an increasing demand for water, with serious destructive consequences: water shortage and pollution, water disputes and conflicts, impaired food production, water-related disasters, the loss of livelihood security, large-scale migration within and across borders, and increased economic and geopolitical tensions and instabilities. The negative impacts of climate change on freshwater supplies as well as on water-related ecosystems, and the most potent manifestation of extreme climatic events, will only exacerbate the region’s water security and disaster risks and vulnerabilities. Given pressing circumstances, the Asia-Pacific countries will require a broader understanding of water security and water-related disaster challenges and a stronger leadership model that can provide a foundation for ideas and excellence, showing clear commitment among the national Leaders to work in complete solidarity to identify and adopt solutions to water and water-related disaster issues and challenges in the region.
The 2nd APWS is expecting to bring together Leaders from the Asia-Pacific region to showcase leadership in decision-making as well as excellence in practice and innovation; to discuss concrete results that have had substantial impacts, spanning from policy to the grass root levels; and, to agree on joint priorities, define their commitments, and prepare their activities.
The 2nd Summit is a unique opportunity to promote active dialogue among regional leaders, and bring about more effective regional cooperation and coordination in water security and water-related disaster challenges in the Asia-Pacific. The 2nd APWS will provide Asia-Pacific leaders and stakeholders, as well as international organizations a forum to jointly seek solutions on water resources development and management for regional water security, as well as on disaster risk and vulnerability, with participation from public and private sectors, technical experts, academics, and civil society groups.
Objectives and Programme Outline
1. Economic, Food and Water Security (organized by FAO and UNESCAP)
2. Urban Water Security (organized by UN-HABITAT and PUB)
3. Environmental Water Security (organized by IUCN)
4. Household Water Security (organized by UNESCAP and ADB)
5. Water Risks and Resilience (organized by ICHARM)
6. IWRM Process for a Water Secure World (organized by UNESCO GWP
and NARBO)
7. Water Related Disaster Challenges (organized by Office of the National
Water and Flood Management Policy, THAILAND)
