By Stockholm International Water Institute

The 6th World Water Forum, taking place in Marseille from March 12-17, is an important stepping stone to strengthen the voice of water in the process leading up to Rio+20. At this juncture, the Stockholm International Water Institute strongly urges that following points are emphasised in the outcome of Rio+20.

On Saturday December 3, the Water and Climate Coalition together with collaborative partners hosted the Water, Climate and Development Day at COP17 in Durban. The day highlighted water’s relationship to economic development and a diverse range of issues and mechanisms under the UNFCCC – including adaptation; mitigation; Finance; renewable energy; Technology, REDD; Land-Use; Land-Use Change; and Forestry and also served to facilitate discussion by international experts and senior policy makers on practical solutions to place water at the centre of development and the UNFCCC negotiations. For a summary of the day, plus related articles, please see the blog.

Key findings from the day were presented to ministers and dignitaries at a high level panel session on 6 December.

3 December, Africa Pavilion

The Water and Climate Coalition is hosting a Water, Climate and Development Day during COP-17 in Durban

This full day seminar will focus on practi­cal solutions to place water at the centre of development and to ensure water takes a central place in UNFCCC negotiations. International experts and senior policy makers in development, water, finance and climate will discuss and generate perspectives on:

• Global policy solutions for adaptation and mitigation
• Infrastructure, technical and ecosystem solutions
• Climate change information for water resources
• Financial and institutional solutions

The Water and Climate Coalition will take an active part in the climate change negotiations at COP-17 in Durban, November 28 – December 9, advocating for a clearer focus on the links between climate change, water and development.