World Water Week 2019 is held from August 25 to 30, in Stockholm, Sweden, under this year's theme: ''Water for society: Including all''.
Water security, expressed in the motto "Water for all", requires a paradigm shift in water resources management. Science, technology and the collaboration of all actors is the key so that climate change does not stop the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On the occasion of World Water Week 2019, more than 3,000 experts, professionals, leaders, business innovators and young professionals from various sectors and countries are in Stockholm. The meeting is aimed at sharing ideas and solutions to the current challenges of water resources, under the motto: "Water for society: including all".
This celebration, held since 2015, is led by the Stockholm International Water Institute and brings together all those involved in decision-making in order to strengthen water governance and ensure proper management of water resources. water resources.
All actions are aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG6 and its goal 6.1, which is intended to guarantee universal access to drinking water at an affordable price by 2030.
According to the World Bank, there are 2.1 billion people living without drinking water worldwide; and 1 out of 4 elementary schools lacks drinking water. The figures indicate that 4 out of 5 people who do not have access to drinking water live in rural areas; and 159 million people are forced to drink water from sources such as ponds and streams.
In addition, almost two thirds of the world's population suffers from severe water shortages, for at least one month a year. It is estimated that 700 million people could be displaced due to liquid shortage by 2030.
Climate change aggravates water deficit
The world's population grows rapidly. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), following current practices, the world will face a 40 percent deficit between expected demand and available water in 2030.
Currently, water security is a major problem and seems to be increasing in many countries. More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. By 2025, around 1.8 billion people will live in regions or countries with absolute water scarcity.
Climate change will worsen the situation, as hydrological cycles will be altered and water availability will be more unpredictable. Water stress will increase in many areas around the world. The poorest countries will be the most affected.
According to the World Bank delegate, Ayat Solimán, countries will have to improve the way they manage their water resources and their associated services, in order to face these complex and interrelated challenges.
With the objective of strengthening water security within this context of increasing scarcity, uncertainty and disparities in water availability; countries and sector agents will have to invest in institutional strengthening, information management and infrastructure development (natural and artificial).
Institutional tools such as legal and regulatory norms, pricing mechanisms, and incentives are needed, in order to allocate, regulate and conserve water resources much better.
International officials say that information systems are also needed to monitor resources, make decisions in conditions of uncertainty and analyze systems, forecasts and hydrometeorological alerts.
Science, technology and knowledge at the service of water security
Investments in innovative technologies should be explored, in order to improve productivity, conserve and protect resources, recycle rainwater and wastewater, develop unconventional water sources and seek alternatives to improve water storage - including recharge and recovery of aquifers.
Ensuring the application of these advances will be essential to strengthen water security worldwide, says the World Bank, which collaborates with several countries through the World Water Practices Program.
World Water Practices focus on water, taking advantage of better water management and services in order to achieve the various water-related SDGs.
World Water Week is the most important event worldwide, in terms of guaranteeing access to quality water. During the event, topics on climate change, food security and innovative technology are also discussed.
During the week, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize will be awarded, in the presence of Princess Victoria from Sweden. On this occasion, a young Spanish woman was selected among the finalists; Ariadna González, a 1-year Baccalaureate student at the Instituto Argentona in Barcelona, which has been selected for the innovative project: ''Production of Electric Energy with Waves''.
Also, the Stockholm Water Prize (the most prestigious in this sector) will be awarded in the presence of King Carlos Gustavo, from Sweden.
