The issue of water shortage risks being eclipsed by concerns about carbon and climate change, but it is a real and immediate problem in many parts of the world.
The Stockholm International Water Institute’s (SIWI) World Water Week is focusing on transboundary water supplies and how to best deal with competing demands of different nations that share the same source.
“Water has difficulty gaining the same level of attention globally as climate change,” said SIWI executive director Anders Berntell.
He said it competed with other industrial sectors for political attention and funding.
“Water is not just another sector, it’s the bloodstream of our planet,” he said, adding that it was vital for core areas such as food production, energy production and health care.
The meeting runs until August 22.
The video below contains an overview from speakers and organisers about the burning issues facing the world of water today.
Sam Bond