1st Steering Committee Meeting of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit
29 March 2007; Tokyo, Japan
Background | Objectives | Highlights | Organizers | Participants | Venue | Related Links
At the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico in March 2006, water ministers from the Asia-Pacific sought the establishment of a new network that will address water challenges in the region. Several development agencies supported the proposal and the Asia Pacific Water Forum (APWF) was conceived and officially launched at the Conference on ADB's Water Financing Program in September 2006.
APWF is working to increase the region’s access to improved water supplies and sanitation, protect and restore river basins, and reduce people’s vulnerability to water disasters. Its initial task is to organize an Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) in December 2007. The summit, to be held in Oita Prefecture, Japan, will focus on measures that will ensure the effective delivery of adequate and safe water supply to critical areas in the region. As a key supporter of the APWF, ADB recently approved a $1 million grant to support the Water Summit and other APWF activities.
An APWS steering committee (SC) was organized to ensure the smooth planning and successful conduct of the Summit. The committee is composed of representatives from ADB, APWF, government of Japan, private sector and international development agencies.
This first meeting of the APWS steering committee served as an initial planning session for the APWS.
 Top
The objectives of the meeting were to
- Present and discuss the proposed program and outcomes of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit
- Draft an invitation list for the APWS to include Head of State and Finance and Planning Ministers from over 50 countries
Top
- Former Prime Minister of Japan and APWF President Mr. Yoshiro Mori chaired the discussions in the morning. Ambassador Tommy Koh, Chair of the APWF Governing Council, headed the discussion in the afternoon. The SC agreed that the Heads of States and Finance and Planning ministers from over 50 countries (Asian members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) should be invited to the Summit. Japan Water Forum is working closely with the Government of Japan on the invitations and logistical arrangements for the Summit
- The SC members concurred that the discussions in the Summit should lead to significant outcomes with a declaration by the leaders to promote water as a top national priority in each country. They also agreed that the Asian Water and Development Outlook (AWDO) be featured at the summit, with a declaration by the leaders supporting the key messages and recommendations in AWDO.
- An audience with the Crown Prince of Japan reveals that he support s the APWF and plans to attend and deliver a memorial lecture at the summit .
Top
The meeting was organized by the Asia-Pacific Water Forum.
Top
Members of the APWS Steering Committee and representatives from ADB, APWF, and other partner organizations, attended the event.
View the list of APWS Steering Committee members.
Top
The meeting was held at Tokyo Prince Hotel Park Tower in Tokyo, Japan.
Top
|
| Workshop Documents |
 |
|
|
| Contact |
|
|
|
K.E. Seetharam
Principal Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist, ADB
E-mail: water@adb.org
|
|
|
News and Events 