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PRIME
MINISTER YOSHIRO MORI: ADDRESS TO THE OPENING AT THE FIRST STEERING COMMITTEE
MEETING OF THE 1st ASIA-PACIFIC WATER SUMMIT (MaximsNews.com,
U.N.)
UNITED
NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com@ U.N./
September 2007 - Former Japanese
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Chair of
the Steering Committee of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water
Summit and President, Asia-Pacific Water Forum, delivered these remarks to the
Opening at the First Steering Committee Meeting of the 1st
Asia-Pacific Water
Summit, March 29, 2007:
"At this, the opening of the first
Steering Committee meeting of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit, it
is a great honour for me to deliver this speech as chairman. Firstly, I am
profoundly grateful to all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to
participate in this meeting.
The
Asia-Pacific region is currently facing serious water problems. It is a critical
situation: in this region, one out of three people has no access to safe
drinking water, and half of the population has no access to basic sanitation.
Therefore, every nation in the region must commit itself to the resolution of
these problems. If we are to accomplish further social and economic development
in this region, we need to tackle these problems at all levels of each society.
In addition, it is of overriding importance that national leaders stand in the
forefront of the movement for the resolution of water problems.
Based
on the resolution at the 4th World Water Forum, we are to hold the 1st
Asia-Pacific Water Summit as part of our efforts to combat water problems. It
will be held at Beppu,
Oita
Prefecture
, in December 2007. This is a stage where national and social leaders from
various fields will assemble in order to deepen their common understanding of
regional water problems, to share their resolve, and to search for concrete
actions towards the resolution of these problems.
At
present, the secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, under the leadership
of the APWF governing council, is classifying regional water problems into three
priority themes: water financing, water-related disaster management, and water
for development and eco-systems, and is intensively studying the issues. I hope
that the first outcomes will be presented at the 1st
Summit
.
With
regard to priority themes, it is needless to say that national leaders should
promote effective and appropriate financing for water-related infrastructure. At
the same time, we must not forget to invest in capacity building for the
maintenance and sustainable use of the infrastructure. Particularly in this
region, where people have created unique civilizations based on a harmonious
relationship between man and nature, the importance of the coexistence of man
with nature cannot be overemphasized.
It is urgent to take specific measures such as early-warning systems to
reduce casualties caused by water-related disasters, since the Asia-Pacific
region, where there are many densely inhabited areas along the coastlines,
accounts for 80% of the world’s fatalities resulting from water-related
disasters.
Asian
countries, especially
India
and
China
, are showing spectacular economic development these days. However,
unfortunately this is threatening eco-systems in the region, with the decrease
of mangrove and other forests. In order to maintain sustainable development and
secure diverse eco-systems, the maintenance and conservation of a rich water
environment is of the utmost importance.
When it comes to the controversial issue of climate change, its deepest
impact on us will be felt through water. In Tuvalu, an island country in the
South Pacific, people are concerned about their future, as flood damage caused
by rising sea levels and saline intrusion into drinking water are wide-spread.
In
Australia
, a prolonged drought has been worsening markedly since last year, as there has
been only a little rain since 2001. When I hear the news that the water shortage
is too severe to sustain farming because water intake for agricultural use is
being restricted, I am deeply concerned about the plight people are facing
there.
Recently, I had a talk with the Prince of Orange, of The Netherlands, who
is chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation,
when he visited
Japan
. He was worried about negative impacts of climate change on water issues in
some African countries, as he had seen no snow on the top of
Mt.
Kilimanjaro
during a recent trip to
Africa
.
The 4th report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued in
February 2007 pointed to a tendency towards heavier and more frequent rainfalls.
It also warned that we would face more serious water problems, as, on the one
hand, desertification and water shortages spread and, on the other hand,
water-related disasters such as flooding become more acute.
The Asia-Pacific region is vulnerable to climate change. In fact, it may
be considered extremely vulnerable. In order to protect precious lives as well
as the cultures and histories that the people of this region have assiduously
created, we must tackle global warming and take preventive measures to reduce
the negative impact of global warming on already worsening water problems.
As for another problem in this region, infectious diseases are
widespread. Therefore, the fight against infectious diseases is also one of our
most important challenges. I have dedicated myself to working for the
elimination of infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis
from the world. At the Okinawa G8 Summit in 2000, we discussed for the first
time, as a major agenda item, how to fight infectious diseases, and produced the
Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative. In 2002, I endeavored to launch the
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and I am now serving as
president of Friends of the Global Fund,
Japan
. I believe that the solution of water problems will lead to victory in the war
on infectious diseases, as these are closely linked to water.
I renew my pledge to collect all wisdom accumulated in the past and find
concrete solutions for current and future water problems at the 1st
Asia-Pacific Water Summit. I understand they are planning a water summit in
Africa
, which is suffering from most serious water problems. If leaders in the
Asia-Pacific region demonstrate strong leadership in the fight against water
problems, they will provide a good model for leaders in
Africa
and other regions across the world.
I
eagerly anticipate a large attendance of heads of governments and leaders from
various fields for the success of this summit. I would like to call on all the
participants, especially members of the steering committee, for further support
and cooperation. I am looking forward to your lively discussions.
Thank
you for your kind attention.
MaximsNewsWATER
CONTACT:
WaterNews@MaximsNews.com
Labels: United
Nations, U.N., Water
and Sanitation
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