Concept Note - 4 DRAFT – 20 Feb 14

Concept Note - 4th DRAFT – 20 Feb 14
World Water Day 2014 – Water and Energy
Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent. Energy generation and
transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric,
nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Recent interest in bio-fuels also creates an
incremental demand on water resources; World Water Development Report (WWDR)
2012 predicts that even a nominal increase in biofuel demand (5% of road transport by
2030, as predicted by International Energy Agency could push up the water demand by
as much as 20% of the water used for agriculture worldwide. Additionally, bio-fuel
production is linked to increases in water pollution through increased used of fertilizers
and agricultural chemicals. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is
used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers. Coproduction of water and energy, as is the case for geothermal energy generation, offers
interesting opportunities to energy- and water-scarce countries.
The increase in resource use in Asia and Pacific region is above the world average with
the region’s economic growth relying on fossil fuel sources. The CO2 emissions in 2008
amounted to almost half of global emission. While on average, 80% of the surface water
is for agriculture, Asia’s fastest increase in water demand is from industry and urban
household
Therefore, securing water and energy is central not only to the new and emerging global
agenda of Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2015 development dialogue, but
to the Asia Pacific region in specific. This must also be linked to the design of a climate
resilient and robust green economy1. With industries being major water and energy
consumers, a green economy will be contingent to the greening of the industrial sector
and resource efficient, cleaner production. A particular emphasis has to be placed on
increasing the water use efficiency in energy production – essentially producing more
kWh per drop of water. This would require a policy environment in which economic
and social incentives are offered to promote water use efficiency and protect freshwater
ecosystems.
The World Water Day 2014 (WWD2014) is celebrated around the world. This year 2014
WWD will be commemorated on, Friday, 21 March 2014 with the theme of Water and
Energy. Globally the WWD2014 is being facilitated jointly by UNU (United Nations
University) and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). In
Thailand, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
together with host country, the Thai Government, will commemorate the WWD2014
Celebration on the Friday, 21 March 2014 at the UN Conference Centre (UNCC),
Bangkok. This year’s WWD will be commemorated back to back with the
ESCAP/UNHABITAT “Regional Policy Workshop of Stakeholders on Decentralized
1
as declared in the 2011 Stockholm Declaration
Waste Water Treatment Systems (DEWATS) in Southeast Asia. The IUCN/IWA/ESCAP
Dialogue on “Water Infrastructure Solutions for the Water-Energy-Food Nexus” will be
organized earlier in the week, 17-19 March 2014.
The WWD2014 commemoration will include the regional launching of World Water
Development Report 2014 (WWDR 2014), an exhibition and the Opening Ceremony at
the UNCC, followed by a panel discussion on “Water and Energy”. A luncheon talk, on
“Integrated Resource Management in Asian Cities – The Urban Nexus” will be organised by
ESCAP and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) after the
Panel discussions.
Tentative Programme
19-21 March 2014
World Water Day Exhibition, Ground Floor, UNCC
21 March 2014
9:30-10:15
World Water Day Opening and Launching of WWDR 2014
Opening Ceremony
- Message by the United Nations Secretary-General on World Water Day
2014
- Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary and Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
- Dr. Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Bangkok, Asia and Pacific
Regional Bureau for Education
- Senior Representative from Royal Thai Government
10:15-10:25
Short film: on Water and Energy – from UN-Water
10:25–11:00
Regional Launching of WWDR2014, Exhibition visit and Coffee break
11:00–12:30
Panel Discussions: Post 2015 Agenda - Water and Energy in partnership
for Sustainable Development. Facilitated by ESCAP with a Chair Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Challenges of water and energy in urban development - ESCAP
Water and Energy in Food Security- FAO
The Sciences of Water and Energy Nexus- UNESCO
Challenges of Water and Energy Nexus at national Level
Stake holders contribution to overcoming the challenges of managing
Water and Energy together
6. Ensuring efficiency use of both water and energy in businesses
12:30 – 14:00
ESCAP/GIZ Luncheon Talk: Integrated Resource Management in Asian
Cities – The Urban Nexus
___________________________________________________________________________________________