Sustainable management of water resources in the context of urbanisation is a challenge faced by all countries. According to the United Nations, urban residents account for 54% of the global population, and this number will be 66% in 2050. With such acceleration of urbanisation, cities around the world are facing similar acute challenges in terms of water supply balance, public health, drinking water safety, water security, pollution treatment, water disasters under extreme climate, and wearing out of water-related equipment. The increased scarcity of urban water resources and the deterioration of water quality lead to the decline in both quality and quantity of water resources for agriculture, energy generation, industries and other human activities related to urban development. Under certain circumstances, excess water in the urban environment results in waterlogging, which damages infrastructure, endangers personal safety and disrupts city life.
Treating the entire urban water cycle in an integrated way, a systematic as well as inter-disciplinary approach is required. In this endeavour, ASEF will bring its support to promoting innovation, cooperation and exchanges in water management among ASEM Partners. The 3-day seminar will be composed of plenary sessions and parallel sessions for presentations, discussions, case studies and best practice sharing.
OBJECTIVES
• Provide a high-level platform for policy dialogue, information sharing, experience exchange, project collaboration and pragmatic cooperation among ASEM partners
• Review the recent progress in the field of urbanization and water sustainability
• Facilitate exchanges and cooperation in IUWM
• Discuss the current challenges of the sectors and develop recommendations in meeting sustainable development goals.
More information is available here.
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