Underlined

Final programme for the International Forum on Drought

Finalised, with the exception of periodic updates which will not entail any substantial changes, we invite you to have a look at the programme and see the contents, the perspectives to be explored and the event participants.

A greeting from the Minister of the Environment, Cristina Narbona

Interview with Juan Carlos del Olmo (Secretary General of WWF/Spain)

Many experts will meet at this Forum calling for improved water management, the restoration of river banks and the closing of illegal wells. It is important that this message reach water and land managers

Interview with Leire Pajín (Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation)

“We are now at a time when we have to take advantage of ideological and technological advancements and place them at the service of the billions of people that today have no access to potable water"

Interview with Fuensanta Coves (Regional Minister for the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia)

“This is an excellent opportunity for scientists and politicians to come to an agreement and provide us with instruments for both improved drought management and improved water management.”

Interview with Rajendra K. Pachauri (IPCC CHAIRMAN)

“The best ways to fight climate change would follow from a clear assessment of local and regional impacts, such that effective adaptation measures can be put in place. However, at the aggregate level global action is essential.”

Forum Presentation

Drought is a recurring natural phenomenon the duration of which cannot be foreseen. Confronting drought entails the need to involve every member of the public, the participation of economic and social agents, and the taking of preventive and palliative measures on the part of governments and international institutions.

Spain’s Ministry of Environment has organised the International Forum on Drought, in Sevilla From 17th till 20th of June 2007, as a meeting place for experts from different disciplines in which to analyse the full scope of the phenomenon.

At round tables, presentations, plenary and thematic sessions and in open session working groups, the social, environmental, management, cultural and economic aspects of drought will be studied, and planning models for the conservation of water resources will be proposed.

Experts from every continent will share and deliberate on different needs and on the strategies being carried out to tackle drought, and take advantage of the event to raise public awareness of the seriousness of the problem and to promote water-saving habits.

The International Forum on Drought is born with the intention of becoming established as an annual international reference point for research on drought, and as an important event on the international agenda for exchanging opinions, establishing joint policies and proposing solutions.

An advance of activities featured at Expo Zaragoza 2008 will be presented during the International Forum on Drought, so the choice of Seville as the venue is not random. The event links the last two Spanish cities to host an important exposition: Seville’s universal exposition and Zaragoza’s international exposition, centred on the theme of water.