Dow Chemical CEO Andrew
Liveris (L) talks with Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe during a
session on "Time Is Running Out for Water" at the World Economic
Forum (WEF) in Davos January 24, 2008.
Global crises from escalating demand for fresh water and
inadequate supply are as urgent as efforts to tackle climate
change, the World Economic Forum annual meeting heard on
Thursday.
A panel including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told
international business CEOs and civil society leaders assembled in
Davos that water stress poses a risk to economic growth, human
rights, health, safety and national security.
"The challenge of securing safe and plentiful water for all is
one of the most daunting challenges faced by the world today," said
Ban.
"The solution to water is more complex than the solution to
climate change," added Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and CEO of
the Swiss Nestle Group.
But the panelists agreed the challenge could be solved,
especially through collaborative approaches of all sectors.
"Isolated action by us will not solve the problem. Instead, we
need to change attitudes and new institutions to set the right
incentives so that water use becomes more efficient across the
world and across all sectors," said Brabeck-Letmathe.
"When society faces global challenges like water scarcity, we
all need to come together to leverage our indicitual efforts,"
echoed Neville Isdell, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola
company.?????
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2008)
