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Sustainable Development Goals, Climate change and Water security 

EAEM News ‘Preparing for new Sustainable Development goals at the COP21 talks in December, leaders and water experts from around the world are seeking solutions to the world’s several escalating water crises at World Water Week in Stockholm this week.

The Prime Minister of Jordan, Abdulla Ensour, described the extreme pressure his country is under due to the combination of water scarcity and a very large refugee population. With water availability severely altered by climate change, and a growing world population needing more food, the need for action is pressing.

Speaking of the Sustainable Development Goals to be agreed ahead of the COP21 Climate Action Forum in Paris later this year, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven said: “When the international community is shaping a new sustainable development agenda, water management and allocation must be at its heart. Not only as a separate goal but as an essential vehicle for development and health.”

The President of the Marshall Islands, Christopher J. Loeak said: “As the leader of my country I cannot look my people in the eyes and with good conscience say that everything will be ok when I know the world continues to travel down a very destructive path.”

Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) said: “From the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, to São Paulo, California and China, people’s perseverance is being tested. We can no longer take a steady water supply for granted.”

Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute, added: “Water not only quenches our thirst, but is at the very foundation of our ability to feed the world. About 84 per cent of global consumptive use of water goes toward agricultural purposes. Today, in the face of a growing global population and climate change that threatens farmers’ ability to grow food, it’s more important than ever that we work to achieve sustainable management of water as well as food security – key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals. One starting point will be to find ways to encourage sustainable, efficient, and equitable water use.” Over 3,000 participants are in Stockholm from 23-28 August for World Water Week 2015 on the theme of Water for Development.

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