World Water Day 2008 in Istanbul

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, 5th World Water Forum Secretariat General, Turkish General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works
Istanbul, Turkey, 22 Mar 08

http://www.worldwaterforum5.org/

World Day for Water or in common form World Water Day, occurs each year on March 22, as designated by United Nations General Assembly resolution and being celebrated in different parts of the world with a growing observance since 1993. Every three years since 1997, the WWC has drawn thousands to participate in its World Water Forum during the week of WWD. Participating agencies, specialists and NGOs have highlighted issues such as a billion people being without access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water.

The WWD2008 in Istanbul will be a 2-day event that is going to be celebrated together with the World Forestry Day and World Meteorology Day. The organizers of the 2-day event are WWC, Turkish General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, while the 5th World Water Forum General Secretariat is serving as the coordinating unit for organizing WWD2008 and developing its conceptual and thematic content.

This years WWD in Istanbul, will host a mayoral debate, which is called the Political Process Kick-off Meeting for Local Authorities on the afternoon, March 22. Mayor of Istanbul, Mr. Kadir TOPBAS convokes some 30 cities from different parts of the world by special invitation to take part in the political process of the World Water Forum 2009 and to get involved in shaping the political agenda of the World Water Forum 2009 at the local level. The participating delegates will have a say and contribute on the major issues that concern their cities and regions as well as on the outline of the political decisions and commitments for the coming years.

Contact: Ms. Aylin Kulturel