World Water Forum
Mexico City 2006
Introduction
From March 16 to 22 in 2006, thousands of participants from governments, parliaments, international organisations, academia, civil society, and the private sector gathered in Mexico City, Mexico, for the 4th World Water Forum.
This Forum offered the Americas an opportunity to present its positions and solutions to the global water community’s challenges, following the three previous Fora held in North Africa, Europe, and Asia. Mexico City was a relevant host, as it is a clear example of the intricate challenges faced by an increasing number of cities worldwide in water resources management, supply, and sanitation services.
The event assembled over 19,000 participants from 150 countries, convening governmental delegations from 148 countries, 200 legislators, and 160 representatives of local authorities. It served as a major global meeting point to find solutions for the growing water crisis.
4th World Water Forum: “Local Actions for a Global Challenge”
Under the overarching theme “Local Actions for a Global Challenge”, the Mexico Forum emphasised the crucial need to focus on action and to listen to the experiences, successes, and difficulties of local actors to generate new ideas for international debate. The core conviction was that solving local water problems contributes directly to the solution of global problems.
The Forum reinforced the idea that water must be treated as a political issue that requires being under the ultimate control of public authorities, at the most appropriate local level. Discussions covered fundamental subjects, such as the right to water and its financing, and highlighted concrete proposals resulting from extensive preparatory work.
The Forum’s program was organised around five regions, five framework themes and five crosscutting perspectives. Six major processes structured the discussions, including:
- Topic Sessions: 206 action-oriented debates were organised, with over 1,600 local actions submitted and 530 subsequently shared to illustrate local solutions,
- Ministerial Conference,
- World Encounter of Water Parliamentarians,
- Participation of Local Authorities,
- Children’s and Youth Forums,
- The Water Fair and World Water Expo.
“Mexico 2006 was a great water celebration, the opportunity for an open debate, a respectful dialogue to reinforce the idea that there can be no development without water.”
Highlights of the 4th World Water Forum
Ministerial Declaration
The Ministerial Conference involved government delegations from 148 countries. The resulting declaration reflected a broad political consensus and governments’ commitment to accelerating action on water issues.
World Encounter of Water Parliamentarians
Parliamentarians, recognising their crucial role in translating global goals into national realities, emphasised the importance of legislative action and strengthening institutional capacity.
Participation of Local Authorities
The meeting of Local Authorities, which included 160 representatives, stressed the necessity of devolving water management decisions to the appropriate local level and mobilising municipal financing for water and sanitation services.
What can we remember from this forum?
A key commitment of the 4th World Water Forum was the reaffirmation to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specifically cutting in half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015. The Forum strongly championed the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), stressing that water management must be holistic and involve multiple sectors. An important initiative was the launch of the second edition of the World Water Development Report (WWDR2), titled “Water: A Shared Responsibility”, which provided a comprehensive status update on global water issues.
Furthermore, the Forum introduced the CSD Water Action and Networking Database (CSD WAND) to serve as an international platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned on water and sanitation projects. The Ministerial Declaration focused on sustainable development and risk management. Financially, the Forum spurred new lending initiatives, with announcements of substantial loans from institutions like the North American Development Bank to fund water infrastructure projects. The overarching message from Mexico 2006 was the indispensable role of local authorities and communities, recognising them as the essential implementers for turning global ambitions into a tangible reality.
The Forum served as a vital platform for announcing significant initiatives and financial commitments aimed at accelerating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It served as a pivotal moment for securing concrete financial commitments for water and sanitation projects globally. Notably, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced a massive commitment to invest $10 billion in water and sanitation projects across Asia. This significant pledge was designated to be rolled out over the four years following the Forum’s conclusion. On the African continent, UN-Habitat also stepped forward with a substantial contribution. The organisation has committed to providing loans totalling $579 million specifically for critical water infrastructure initiatives. Furthermore, focusing on the host country’s needs, the North American Development Bank dedicated funds to local projects. It announced loans of $100 million earmarked for water infrastructure improvements in Mexico itself.
Beyond financial backing, the Forum fostered crucial cooperation agreements to advance shared strategies and knowledge. A major outcome was the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Implementation of the Strategy for Water Resources and Sanitation. This pivotal agreement involved the European Union and various Latin American countries. The declaration was a collaborative initiative strongly promoted by the governments of Spain, Portugal and Mexico. Its primary goal was to dramatically reduce the number of people who still lack access to clean water services. Additionally, the declaration sought to actively foster an exchange of diverse water management models and best practices among the participating nations. In a separate agreement, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced the establishment of a new Project Office in Mexico. This office was created to directly support the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) in its national objective of achieving the integrated management and long-term sustainability of water across Mexico.
The 4th World Water Forum also fostered specific agreements focusing on the host nation, Mexico, including a key cooperation pact between the Spanish Association for Water Supply and Sanitation and the National Association of Water and Sanitation Utilities of Mexico (ANEAS). Through this agreement, the two organisations established a mutual commitment to bolster bilateral exchange and expertise. This included a pledge to actively exchange information regarding various technical and operational experiences related to water and sanitation management. Furthermore, the cooperation involved submitting information concerning Public Policy for Integrated Water Management. Ultimately, the goal was to strengthen capacity and collaboration by establishing direct communication links between the Spanish Association and ANEAS.
A World Water Forum displaying financial commitments
The Forum served as a vital platform for announcing significant initiatives and financial commitments aimed at accelerating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It served as a pivotal moment for securing concrete financial commitments for water and sanitation projects globally. Notably, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced a massive commitment to invest $10 billion in water and sanitation projects across Asia. This significant pledge was designated to be rolled out over the four years following the Forum’s conclusion. On the African continent, UN-Habitat also stepped forward with a substantial contribution. The organisation has committed to providing loans totalling $579 million specifically for critical water infrastructure initiatives. Furthermore, focusing on the host country’s needs, the North American Development Bank dedicated funds to local projects. It announced loans of $100 million earmarked for water infrastructure improvements in Mexico itself.
The Mexico World Water Forum: an occasion to foster political cooperation
Beyond financial backing, the Forum fostered crucial cooperation agreements to advance shared strategies and knowledge. A major outcome was the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Implementation of the Strategy for Water Resources and Sanitation. This pivotal agreement involved the European Union and various Latin American countries. The declaration was a collaborative initiative strongly promoted by the governments of Spain, Portugal and Mexico. Its primary goal was to dramatically reduce the number of people who still lack access to clean water services. Additionally, the declaration sought to actively foster an exchange of diverse water management models and best practices among the participating nations. In a separate agreement, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced the establishment of a new Project Office in Mexico. This office was created to directly support the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) in its national objective of achieving the integrated management and long-term sustainability of water across Mexico.
The 4th World Water Forum also fostered specific agreements focusing on the host nation, Mexico, including a key cooperation pact between the Spanish Association for Water Supply and Sanitation and the National Association of Water and Sanitation Utilities of Mexico (ANEAS). Through this agreement, the two organisations established a mutual commitment to bolster bilateral exchange and expertise. This included a pledge to actively exchange information regarding various technical and operational experiences related to water and sanitation management. Furthermore, the cooperation involved submitting information concerning Public Policy for Integrated Water Management. Ultimately, the goal was to strengthen capacity and collaboration by establishing direct communication links between the Spanish Association and ANEAS.
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