World Water Forum: the blue planet must remain blue!

This week, the 6th World Water Forum, to which more than 30,000 participants are expected, is taking place in Marseilles. The European Parliament will be represented at the forum. "I will be at the World Water Forum from this afternoon to relay the message of the European Parliament. Now more than ever we should go on fighting for better access to drinking water and sanitation", said Sophie Auconie MEP, who will be officially representing the Parliament and 500 million EU citizens at this international forum. "A fair, sustainable management of this life-giving resource is the condition if we want our blue planet to remain blue", she said.

Richard Seeber MEP, EPP Group Co-Coordinator in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament, calls for a comprehensive water strategy of the EU: "Water is becoming ever more precious and scarce. We need to handle it with more care. We have to find ways on both European and international levels on how to deal with our water resources sustainably. Climate change and population growth amplify the problems. This is why the EU must develop a strategic and long-term water policy in close cooperation with the international community." Richard Seeber is also the Chairman of the cross-party parliamentary inter-group on water questions in the European Parliament.

Health and living conditions of billions of people depend on water.

We already had a success in 2010 which was to halve the proportion of the population that doesn't have access to drinking water, as one of the Millenium Development Goals. This goal has been reached, i.e much earlier than the deadline set. What good news and a big call for action! This success is a sign that we should never be pessimistic: action leads to results! The EP is now calling for the full implementation of these goals, and notably the water sanitation goal", said Sophie Auconie.

The World Water Forum has been organised every 3 years since 1997 by the Water World Council. This Forum is the only international space for debate and contribution of experts.