Mumbai, the most densely-populated city in India with 13 million inhabitants in 2006, is currently facing a severe water crisis. The quantities of water available have reached a critical level, meaning the various uses of water resources have to be prioritised.

Currently, 39 countries recognise the right to water in their constitution; the UN first specifically mentioned it as a separate human right in 2002. The challenge of our times, however, is to enforce this recognised legal right by improving the situation of populations that still have no access to water. We invite you to meet Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council.

Just Nancy, in charge of the projects led by Eau Vive in Burkina Faso, shares his thoughts after the 5th World Water Forum : Innovation and dynamism of local experiences Vs. Complexity and Clumsiness of global political and institutional processes …

Upon the closing of the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, I would like to call for a more open and integrated approach involving all stakeholders and to advocate for the transition from an economy based on volume to an economy based on value: the issue today is no longer managing large volumes of water, but rather contributing social and environmental know-how that is adapted to the needs of communities and users.

This new edition of the Forum provided the opportunity for all players working on water-related issues to assess the advances achieved over the past three years. These are real but terribly insufficient compared to the challenges of water access and climate change! In order to meet these challenges, an integrated approach and innovation are the key to sustainable, well-balanced progress to which we dedicate the development of our professions.

A day before the end of the 5th World Water Forum, Julie Aubriot, in charge of advocacy at Action against Hunger talks about the Right to Water.

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT will be speaking at the following sessions and events

* Session 2.2.2 from 8:30-13:00 : the future is now : embedding sustainability principles within water and energy development. Frédéric Goudin, Sino-French, will be speaking about “recovering of energy from sludge” - case study in industrial parks in China

* Session 5.2.2 from 11:00 to 13:00 : Affordable and sustainable water and sanitation services: The role of tariffs an other instruments. Alain Mathys will be speaking at this session

* Side-event on the French Pavillon (French Water Partnership) from 16:30 to 18:30 “concrete implementation of the right to water and sanitation” (Académie de l’Eau & Action Against Hunger-ACF). Christophe Cluzeau will present a Case-study on LYDEC

* SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT international evening at 8pm