The 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) brought together political leaders to recognize the significance of the water issues for achieving Millennium Development Goals.
At the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico in March 2006, water ministers from the region and several development agencies, including ADB, supported the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), a network that would work 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.
The APWF’s initial task was to organize the 1st APWS in 2007. The Summit was designed to focus on measures to ensure the effective delivery of adequate and safe water supply to critical areas in the region. ADB approved a $1 million grant to support the APWS and other APWF activities.
An APWS Steering Committee was organized in late 2006, following the APWF’s official launch at ADB’s Water Financing Program Conference. Composed of representatives from ADB, APWF, government of Japan, private sector, and international development agencies, the Committee held planning sessions in March and August 2007 to ensure the smooth planning and successful conduct of the Summit.
This 1st APWS is a critical milestone that is part of the ongoing regional and international efforts striving for human and economic development. Its outcomes are to be fed directly into the 2008 G8 Summit and the 5th World Water Forum.
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The 1st APWS aims to advance the priority themes and key result areas of the APWF by generating support and commitment from government leaders to meet the region’s water challenges.
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The Summit was organized by the APWF and the 1st APWS Steering Committee, supported by APWF lead institutions.
View the list of APWS Steering Committee members.
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The following attended the 1st APWS:
- Heads of governments from 49 countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific
- Representatives of parliaments, local governments, private sector, academia, civil society and the media
- Representatives from water ministries in the Asia-Pacific region
- Representatives from the lead organizations, selected member organizations, and development agencies
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The APWS was held at the Beppu Convention Center, Oita Prefecture, Japan. For more details, visit: http://www.b-conplaza.jp/.
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