Water for cooperation: Cross Sectoral Cooperation in The South Caucasus
ID 4: Water for Cooperation: Transboundary and International Water Cooperation, Cross Sectoral Cooperation, including Scientific Cooperation, and Water Across the 2030 Agenda (SDG 6.5, 6.b and SDGs 16, 17);
Side Event Room C – Friday 14:00 - 15:15
Moderator:
Ms. Yoonjin Lee: Focal person for the water security session on the 10thWorld Water Forum. World Water Council
Speakers:
Mr. Nidal SALIM: Director General- Global Institute for Water Environment and health ( GIWEH )
Mr. Rafig Verdiyev - Deputy Chief of National Hydrometeorological Service under the the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Mr. Marc Zeitoun: London School of Economy, Director of Geneva Water Hub
Mrs. Lindsey Blodgett: NextWave consulting – Texas A&M University.
Other potential speaker:
- Mr. Oleg Shamanov. Director of SDG Division in DESA. ( waiting for approval). shamanov@un.org
- Mrs: Diana iskreva, Director Earth forever Foundation- Bulgaria
Transboundary Water pollution is a major challenge to the sustainable development goals. Freshwater pollution is one of the most ubiquitous forms of environmental degradation. It is also one of the most significant in terms of its short and long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems and in-turn the health of humans. It is the leading cause of death and disease worldwide.
The effective management of transboundary waters can produce benefits for people living in shared basins or using shared aquifers. Such basins and aquifers have certain characteristics that make their management especially difficult, however.
Differences between countries in socio-economic development, water-use objectives, management capacity and political approach can make the effective management of transboundary waters even more challenging. If strategically managed, however, transboundary river basins can be a source of cooperation.
The side event will discuss the different possibilities of cooperation, moving forward from challenges to cooperation and draw the attention to the ecological crisis of the river to prevent pollution and to support the peace and justice agenda in the region.
It also calls for a strong international action to protect the ecosystem and biological assets in and encourage the countries of the region for more cooperation to face the main challenges of climate change, population growth.
The Okhchuchay river basin at the South Caucasian which is facing very serious environmental, water supply and pollution problems, causing serious harm to the environment and humanity. The waters, forests and natural resources are deteriorating and become a major challenge for development