The Fifth World Water Congress and Exhibition will be held in
Beijing from September 10 to 14, focusing on worldwide water
issues, a Ministry of Construction senior official announced on
Tuesday.
The congress is aimed at increasing worldwide awareness of water
shortages and other water issues, said Vice Minister of
Construction Qiu Baoxing.
This is also the first time that the congress is being held in
Asia.
Nearly 3,000 water experts and scholars and government officials
from various countries are expected to attend. Chinese Vice Premier
Zeng Peiyan will officiate as honorary
president and deliver a keynote speech to the congress.
"All the preparatory work is now well underway," Qiu said.
He added that the congress will create a valuable platform "to
bring in advanced ideas, technologies and experiences in the water
sector worldwide and help expand exchanges and cooperation."
The congress is also designed to help solve the contradictions
between the shortage of water resources and ever-increasing water
demands in China. Developed countries are encouraged to offer their
expertise, advanced technologies and funds to developing countries
that need help.
However, a report by conservation organization WWF has warned
that the water crisis is a global problem and even rich countries
face increasing water shortages.
A combination of climate change and poor resource management is
leading to water shortages in even the most developed countries, it
said.
The WWF added that economic wealth does not automatically mean
plenty of water.
Europe is becoming drier as a result of climate change and
further north, Alpine glaciers -- a significant source of water --
are shrinking.
The situations in developing countries are even worse, according
to experts.
Broiling temperatures and a severe drought have left millions of
people short of water and put a strain on power supplies in many
parts of China this summer, leading to at least three deaths and a
blackout in one city, according to news reports.
(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2006)