CONAGUA Presides the Table on Climate Change in the 6th World Water Forum

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MEXICO CITY, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A round table on "Water and Adapting to Climate Change – The Road Ahead" was held within the framework of the 6th World Water Forum held in Marseilles, France. The discussion focused on the solutions that must be implemented at the global, regional, national and even local level, for a sustainable water management given the context of Climate Change.

The table was presided by Portugal's Minister of Agriculture, Oceans, the Environment and Planning; Jordan's Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and Mexico's Director of the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), Jose Luis Luege, who generated proposals for public policies that will be presented for further development during the United National Conference on Sustainable Development Rio +20 and by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

This round table discussion established that water management must be part of an integral focus on adapting to Climate Change, and not considered as a separate process. The table remembered the vital importance of water for human survival. The importance of governance was emphasized, as well as an institutional redesign so that solutions are met and not left as merely good intentions. It was established in this respect that adaptation measures should be promoted at all levels of society and based on the principle of shared responsibility.

Institutional arrangements were also discussed, in order to facilitate a better communication between the water community, the climate change community, and the development community, given that we all share the same world. Proposals were presented regarding reducing the gap between the implementation of national plans and local level strategies. It was later affirmed in this regard that climate change must be understood institutionally, given that it is precisely there, in the institutions, where the complexity of the problem is found. "Climate change involves more governance than government. It requires an effective coordination between all the actors involved, including the private sector and NGOs," he affirmed.

One of the most controversial discussions dealt with how the international community can help national and local governments to implement policies for adapting to climate change, and in particular with respect to water. The possible costs of adaptation strategies were discussed, with the conclusion that any cost calculated can only be less than the cost of doing nothing.

Mr. Luege noted the importance of the States' responsibility for making their national reports in view of the information contained on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GGI) as well as advances made in mitigation and adaptation strategies. These reports, he noted, may be a powerful tool for involving the international community in national strategies, and are an effective mechanism for accountability. He also mentioned that Mexico is the only developing country that has presented four national reports.

As part of Mexico's strategies to adapt to climate change, a workshop on "Water And The Effects Of Climate Change And Strategies To Adapt To Climate Change" will be offered in Mexico, as a joint effort between CONAGUA and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, highlighting the importance given by Mexico to the problem of water as a strategic matter of national interest, especially given the growing impact of climate change.

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SOURCE Comision Nacional del Agua