European Regional Process Zaragoza

The European Water Partnership, as European Regional Coordinator, would like to invite all interested parties to this meeting. You can register by sending an email to l.minelli@ewp.eu. A detailed agenda will be sent around shortly.

World Water Forum

In March 2009, the fifth World Water Forum will take place in Istanbul. Over the last 12 years, the World Water Fora have grown to be major events, connecting all stakeholders on water. In 2009, over 20,000 people are expected to attend again, combining politicians, businesses and NGO’s to find solutions to attain sustainable water use under the overarching theme “Bridging divides for Water”. More information on the Forum is available at the website.

European Regional Coordination

To prepare for the World Water Forum a thematic as well as a regional process is set up and thematic and regional coordinators have been selected. The thematic coordinators will form consortia to develop their respective theme, topics and sessions. Seeing that issues differ across regions, the regional coordinators will develop these themes in their regional context and provide region-specific input into the Forum.

The European Water Partnership has been appointed European Regional Coordinator by the Secretariat of the World Water Forum. We have taken up this role to achieve the best representation possible of European issues and solutions and make sure all stakeholders will be represented, working especially to make sure European business and politicians are represented as well. More information on the European Regional Process .

Second meeting European Regional Process
In February the first meeting of the European Regional Process was organised to identify the themes the Process should address as well as organisations willing to work on them. Eight themes were identified and consortia set up:

• Future of Water in Europe
• Climate Change and Adaptation
• Water for Energy, Energy for Water
• Basin Management and Transboundary
• Finance
• Sanitation
• Water Scarcity and Droughts
• Water Science and Technologies

The second meeting of the European Regional Process on 8 and 9 July 2008 in Zaragoza will discuss progress within these themes and steps to be taken, leading up to the World Water Forum in Istanbul in 2009. Taking place in Zaragoza, it will also make sure the input of the Southern parts of Europe is taken into account in the European Regional Process. A detailed agenda will be available shortly. Please send your registration to Lucilla Minelli.

Because hotelfacilities are difficult to book in Zaragoza in July due to the EXPO taking place, a limited number of hotel rooms is reserved by the EWP. We would like to urge you to book a hotelroom as soon as possible by either contacting your travel agent or the EWP at l.minelli@ewp.eu.