The International Year of Water Cooperation and expectations from the Conference. Blanca Jimenez, Director of the Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO. International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2012/2013. Preparing for the 2013 International Year. Water Cooperation: Making it Happen! 8-10 January 2013

1. Blanca Jiménez-Cisneros
Directora de la División de Ciencias de Agua y Secretaria del
Programa Hidrológico Internacional, UNESCO

2. CONTEXT
- During Century XX the world population x 3 BUT the water
use X 6
- Still 0.8 billion people with access to safe water and 2.5 billons
without basic sanitation.
- It is produce and discharge more WW than ever in the past
(only industrial water 70% of the one produce is discharged
without treatment)
- 500 million people per year are affected by floods
Nevertheless still is enough water to meet all the needs
- But for that science, innovation and COOPERATION is needed

3. Why
- Pressure on water resources is increasing: agriculture
and industry, pollution and urbanization, global change.
Different users different visions
- Shared Water sources are increasingly being evident and
cooperation takes many forms: from across national
boundaries to scientific data exchange and cooperation in a
rural village to build a well.
- Water cooperation involves an holistic approach to
water realities: it combines cultural, educational and
scientific factors, as well as religious, ethical, social, political,
legal, institutional and economic dimensions.

4. Why
-- Water is being shared: only through cooperation can we succeed to manage
our finite and fragile water resources;
;
-

5. RESOLUTION
• A group of countries, initiated by
Tajikistan proposed to UNGA in 2010
to declared 2013 as the United
Nations International Year of Water
Cooperation
• UN-WATER officially appointed
UNESCO to lead preparations for
both the 2013 International Year
(IYWC) and the World Water Day
(WWD) in cooperation with UNECE
(UN Economic Commission for
Europe) and with the support of
UNDESA (United Nations Department
of Economic and Social Affairs ),
UNW-DPC (UN-Water Decade
Programme on Capacity
Development) and UNW-DPAC (UN-
Water Decade Programme on
Advocacy and Communication )

6. FIVE STRATEGIC Objectives of IYWC
1. Raise awareness on importance, benefits and
challenges of cooperation on water-related issues.
2. Enhance knowledge and build capacity for water
cooperation.
3. Spark concrete and innovative action towards water
cooperation.
4. Foster partnerships, dialogue and cooperation
around water as top priorities, also beyond 2013.
5. Strengthen international water-related cooperation
to pave the way for developing Sustainable
Development Goals supported by the entire water
community and addressing the needs of all societies.

7. TARGET AUDIENCE
Youth/Children/ Adult Public
Economic Sectors
Indigenous and local
communities
Civil Society
Governments and decision-
makers
Different Government
Institutions dealing with
water
International Organizations
International Funding
Agencies
The Media

8. Drops and ripples of Water Cooperation – involving the actors
Photo: © Royalt

9. 4 Key Messages
•Water cooperation: a
foundation for peace and
sustainable development
•Water cooperation is key to
poverty eradication, social
equity and gender equality
•Water cooperation creates
economic benefits
•Water cooperation is crucial
to preserve water resources
and protect the environment

10. Milestone Events 2013
IYWC Official Launching Event, World Water Week on Water Cooperation
UNESCO HQ, 11 February (SIWI with UNESCO, 1-8 September)
Zaragoza Water Conference UNESCO General Conference
(8-10 January ) UNESCO HQ (4-19 November)
World Water Day (Official event), Dushanbe Conference, organized by
The Netherlands (22 March) Tajikistan (September)
World Water Day celebrations around Water Cooperation Conference in Hungary
the world (22 March) (September)
Launching Event Stockholm
UNESCO HQ, World Water Day World Water Week,
11 February Official Event, 1-6 September UNESCO
The Hague 37th General Conference (November)
22 March
Milestones Events Water Cooperation Campaign 2013
Conference on
Water Cooperation,
World Water Day, Budapest, Hungary,
Special Event, September
UN-Water Zaragoza UNGA, NY Conference on
22 March Water Cooperation,
Conference Dushanbe,Tajikistan,
on Water September
Cooperation
Zaragoza, 8-10
January

11. Example: Slogan Contest
Submission of entries: 27
August - 15 November 2012
Over 12 000 entries!
Selected slogan:
Water, Water everywhere
only if we share
The author will be at the
kick-off meeting of the
International Year taking
place in Paris in 11 Feb
2013

12. INVITATION
Website www.watercooperation2013.org
Labeling of events
Outreach material
(postcards, banners, posters, etc)
Educational material (e.g.
toolkits, learning resources, videos)

14. INVITATION
Website www.watercooperation2013.org
Labeling of events
Outreach material
(postcards, banners, posters, etc)
Educational material (e.g.
toolkits, learning resources, videos)

15. Logo