Around 700 million people in 43 countries suffer from water scarcity, and by 2025 this figure could increase to more than 3 billion, said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message on 22 March 2007, World Water Day. ‘The state of the world’s waters remains fragile and the need for an integrated and sustainable approach to water resource management is as pressing as ever’, said Mr. Ban, adding that available supplies are under great duress as a result of high population growth, unsustainable consumption patterns, poor management practices, pollution, inadequate investment in infrastructure and low efficiency in water-use. He also called on the UN system and all stakeholders to forge stronger partnerships and take more concerted action throughout the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life'(2005-2015), endorsed by the General Assembly in 2005. With this year’s theme entitled ‘Coping with Water Scarcity’, as part of the observance of World Water Day, a panel discussion on transboundary water was held at UN Headquarters in New York on 22 March. One panelist, Mr. Aaron Salzberg, senior advisor on water in the Department of State, said, ‘the United States has disbursed more than $1.7 billion to support 100 activities throughout the world’ […]