Overview of events

WWD 2001 Event
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Programme for the Observance of the World Water Day, 22 March 2001
Conference Room 3
United Nations Conference Centre
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok

Our main aim through this effort is to increase public awareness on the impacts of water on health in the region and provide a platform to various government and international agencies and NGOs that have some important work to their credit.

Programme

The first session is a panel discussion on the “Perspectives of Water and Health: the Vision into Action”.

The second session includes a discussion on “Water and Health: Prevention is Better than Cure” and the afternoon session is devoted to “NGO and Volunteers: Initiatives on Water Conservation” and is aimed at a evoking a sense of participation among young Thai students in water conservation and management initiatives.

An exhibition is also being organized for the event on the entitled theme with the contributions from various UN agencies, NGOs, international organizations and the government ministries.

9:00	Opening Ceremony Message from the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan and Welcome by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Mr. Kim Hak-Su Message from the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, read by the WHO Representative Statement from Mr. Ravi Sawhney, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Development Division, ESCAP
9:10	Video Presentation: Most Vital Resource: Water (UNEP)
9:20	Keynote address by Dr. Suraphol Sudara, Marine Scientist, Chulalongorn University: The Water Cycle
9:35	UNESCO/ROAP's Representative on Water Culture and Ethics
9:45	Panel I: Perspectives of Water and Health: the Vision into Action Mr. Shigemitsu Tsukamoto, Vice Secretary General for Policy and Agriculture, Preparatory Secretariat of the Third World Water Forum, Japan Dr. Felix Amerasinghe, Health and Environment Programme of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Sri Lanka Mr. Terrence Thompson, Regional Advisor, Water Sanitation and Health WHO/SEARO, India (moderator and speaker) Mr. Thierry Facon, Water Resource Management Expert, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
10:45-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12:00	Panel II: Water and Health: Prevention is Better than Cure Dr. Ali Basaran (Moderator and Speaker), Regional Advisor, Environmental Health (Community Water Supply and Sanitation), WHO/WPRO, The Philippines Mr. Stephen Attwood, Regional Advisor, Health and Nutrition, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF/EAPRO) Dr. Jean D'Cunha, Senior Programme Specialist, East and Southeast Regional Office, UNIFEM Mr. Aynul Hasan, Development Research and policy Analysis Division, UNESCAP
12:00	Visit the Exhibition Lunch for students courtesy of the United Nations Association of Thailand and UNICEF
13:00	Streamwatch video “Cleaning Up” Commentary by Mr. Terrence Thompson, WHO/SEARO and Mr. Peter Walker, League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
13:20	Panel III: Discussion and Slide Presentation in Thai “NGO and Volunteer: Initiatives on Water Conservation” Khun Rampaiphan Kaosuriya (Moderator and Chair), Tourism Organization of Thailand. Khun Mattana Homlaor, Secretary General of the Thai Environmental and Communities Development Association Khun Wiphaphan Nakphaen of the Green World Foundation (illustrated presentation) Khun Ratay Chantian, Honorary Advisor to the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation (illustrated presentation)
14:40-15:00	Closing Remarks

Contact

Water and Mineral Resources Section
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Thailand
Phone: 66-2-288-1541
E-mail: enrd@unescap.org