No. 25 (36) September 2003

THE THIRD WORLD WATER COUNCIL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Background

Following principles of Dublin Declaration 1992 and according to decisions of Ministerial Conference on potable water supply and environment protection held on March 1994 in Noordwic, the Netherlands (which were approved by Sustainable Development Commission and UN General Assembly), the World Water Forum (WWF) concept was adopted. International Water Resources Association (IWRA) on the meeting in Cairo in 1994 created special Committee on preparing World Water Forum establishment. This Committee in the first time gathered in March 1995 in Montreal, Canada, and then in September 1995 in Bari, Italy. These two meetings identified mission and goals of WWF, which was formed on 14 of June 1996 in Marcel officially. World Water Council (WWC) followed own Constitution based on French Law from July 1, 1901. WWC central office is located in Marcel, France, and its activity is financed at the expense of membership fees and partial financial support on part of French Government and World Bank.

WWC goals are as follows:

• Identification of critical water problems of local, regional, and global significance on base of available water state assessment on the Earth;
• Increase of critical water problems awareness at all levels of decision-making process – from high officials to wide range of public;
• Provide forum for formulating general strategic vision on integrated water resources management based on sustainability as well as promote implementation of effective policy and strategy around the world;
• Develop recommendations and appropriate information for organizations and individuals making decisions on development and implementation of integrated policy and sustainable water management strategy taking into account social and environmental factors as well as gender problems;
• Contribute in solution of transboundary water problems.

WWC is a think-tank providing organizational response for requirements of integrated actions among many agencies and organizations involved in water management around the world. It is implemented by organizing and holding World Water Forums as well as publishing journal “Water Policy”.

The first WWF was held in March 1997 in Maraquesh, Morocco. There responsibility and mandate for development of global “Vision for Water, Life, and Environment - 21” (World Water Vision) were identified.

The second WWF was held in March 2000 in Hague, the Netherlands. This Forum involved 120 ministers and 5500 participants from 156 countries. Forum adopted “World Water Vision” – necessity to make water everybody’s business.

The third WWF was held in March 2003 in Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka, Japan. It gathered above 20000 participants from whole world. WWF-3 presented two key documents: “World Water Actions – to make water flowing to everybody” and “Water Financing for everybody”. Besides hundreds of initiatives were put forward there.

Before its third General Assembly (for August 31, 2003) WWC included 300 members (216 active members with the vote right and 84 inactive ones - observers) representing 45 countries and big number of international organizations. In period between General Assemblies WWC activity is carried out by WWC Board – 36 members elected by vote on General Assembly.

3rd General Assembly
Marcel, France, September 29 – November 2, 2003

On September 30, 2003 extraordinary WWC General Assembly was held, where 75,1% of active members took part. Its organization was caused by necessity of making amendments in WWC Constitution. Urgings of revision is related to organizational changes directed on ordering WWC activity that, in turn, is caused by changes in general water situation in the world. Initiator of bringing changes was World Bank. Under extraordinary General Assembly following decisions were made:

1. Changes were brought in WWC working bodies – (a) abolished: Executive Committee, Financial Committee, Program Committee, Committee on relations, regional Center and Committee on membership, World Water Committee Fund as well as all temporary WWC working bodies; (b) established: two permanent Committees – Committee on organizations and management and Committee on Science and Technologies; Commission on juridical and financial affairs; Advisory Committee as well as “Water Policy” journal Board.
2. Changes in reformation of regional and thematic WWC centers.
3. Changes in WWC Board – to transform it to more representative body (on sectors and in geographical aspect).
4. Changes in procedures of elections in all above mentioned WWC bodies.
5. Changes in WWC membership fees structure – beginning from 2004 membership fees amount is established basing on size of DGP per capita.
6. Necessary changes in WWC Constitution and Statute.

Within framework of extraordinary WWC assembly Board meeting was held, where question of conducting 4th WWF was considered. As it was reported to assembly participants – on results of considering three applications for organizing 4th WWF in March 2006 from Canada, Turkey, and Mexico – majority of WWC Board members’ votes preferred Mexico as place of next Forum organization.

On October 1 and 2, 2003 3rd WWC General Assembly was held. On its opening ceremony 77% of active members attended. The first plenary meeting began with scandal – Turkey delegation (29 active members), having protested against choice of Mexico as WWF-4 organization place, left the Assembly. On their opinion, elections were conducted with breaking procedure. Rest 62,5% of active members constituted required quorum (50%) for Assembly legitimate status.

The Assembly considered following agenda issues:

• Adoption of three-year report of WWC activity;
• Approval of financial and audit reports for 2000, 2001, and 2002 years;
• Adoption of WWC Work Program for 2004-2006 years.

Besides Assembly participants took part in three parallel seminars on following themes:

• Water financing for all – needs and benefits;
• Progress assessment –WWC policy development and implementation;
• How organize WWF-4 and other global events.

In final assembly part elections of 20 new WWC Board members (in rotation) took place. Forty two nominators from 18 countries were represented. On secret vote results SIC ICWC Director Prof. V.A. Dukhovny was included in number of 20 newly elected WWC Board members.

On October 2 – at once after closing 3rd General Assembly (at 19.00) WWC Board meeting in its new staff was held. SIC ICWC Deputy Director V.I. Sokolov took part in its work by proxy of absent Prof. V.A. Dukhovny.

According to agenda following issues were considered there:

• Presentation of new WWC Board members and their approval.
• Elections of new WWC President and two WWC vice-presidents. Board members deeply appreciated fertile work of the first WWC President PhD Mahmood Abu-Zeid, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources of Egypt, who worked for two terms on this post. William Cosgrove, Canada, was unanimously as WWC President for 3-year term. Benedito Braga, Brazil, and Loik Fauchon, France, were elected as WWC vice-presidents.
• Elections of new WWC committees managers.

Finally it was decided to organize next WWC Board meeting in March 2004 in Mexico – having accepted friendly invitation of National Water Commission of Mexico.

GLOBAL WATER PARTNERSHIP: CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS

GWP CACENA Secretary (Global Water Partnership of Central Asia and Caucasus) established web-site on address: www.gwpcacena.org

There are materials informing about GWP CACENA role, tasks, and activity, on this site.

This site is in English, but in the nearest future Russian version of site will appear too.