Try living without it and you’ll agree … water is our most precious element. But the World Water Development Report which was prepared by the United Nations in 2012, stated that around four billion people in the world currently lack access to safe water. And that number is set to grow higher as the global population rises to over 9 billion people by 2050.
Water for agriculture is already limited as food for the steadily increasing population becomes more difficult to produce and competition for water grows. The Asia Pacific region - home to 60 percent of the world’s population - has only 36 percent of its water resources.
ASIA’S LOOMING CRISIS
Today, around 80% of Asia’s water is used to irrigate crops and much of this is used inefficiently. Large volumes of treated water in urban areas are also lost - up to 29 billion cubic meters a year - conservatively valued at $9 billion.
The deadline for achieving Millennium Development Goals by 2015 is fast approaching as countries clamor to reach water targets. Progress on drinking water is on track, but sanitation and waste-water treatment is lagging. Over 80% of untreated waste water leaches into accessible fresh and coastal waters resulting in significant public health consequences.
The ASEAN Strategic Plan on Water Resources Management
Following the endorsement of the ASEAN Long Term Strategic Plan for Water Resources Management in 2003 ASEAN aims to tackle issues relating to demand and supply allocation. This will also include water quality and sanitation, extreme events and capacity building.
Global Water Intelligence reports that Thailand’s total utility water market will increase by 7% through 2016 – an increase from $816.9 million to $1,225 million per year.
Date : 5-8 June, 2013 Venue : BITEC: Bangkok, Thailand Opening hours : 5-8 June (10.00am - 06.00pm)
