21st Century World Water Commission established

The World Water Council, co-sponsored, amongst others, by FAO, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, WMO and the World Bank, has established a World Commission on Water for the 21st Century. The Commission is chaired by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of the Global Water Partnership and Vice-President of the World Bank, and is composed of twenty-one outstanding thinkers and opinion leaders

The main task of the Commission is to guide the development of the ‘Long Term Vision on Water, Life and the Environment for the 21st Century’. World Water Council’s Vision project is meant to move us from where we are today to where we need to be tomorrow if we are to meet future water needs and ensure the sustainable use of water.

The exercise involves a process of study, consultation and promotion which is intended to:

  develop knowledge on what is happening in the world of water regionally and globally, and on trends and developments outside the world of water which may affect future water use;

  based on this knowledge, produce a consensus on a “Vision” for the year 2025 that is shared by water sector specialists and decision makers in government, the private sector and civil society;

  raise awareness of water issues among the general population and decision-makers in order to foster the political will and leadership necessary to achieve the Vision; and

utilise the knowledge and support generated to provide input to the framework for action developed by the Global Water Partnership (GWP).