The United Nations Summarizes Major Issues in Global Water Resources Development

As World Water Day is approaching, UNESCO released the "World Water Resources Development Report" on the 13th, pointing out that global water consumption increased six times in the 20th century, and its growth rate was twice the population growth rate. The report points out: "Our ability to meet the continuously growing global water demand will depend on people's effective management of existing resources." The report raised nine issues worthy of attention.

1. Water resources management, system construction, and infrastructure construction are all insufficient: Although the earth’s freshwater resources are unevenly distributed, they are still sufficient. However, poor management, lack of resources, environmental changes and insufficient investment in infrastructure mean that about one-fifth of the world's people do not have access to safe drinking water, and 40% of people lack basic sanitation facilities. With the current situation and the speed of improvement, it will be difficult to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people without safe drinking water by 2015.

2. Poor water quality leads to poverty and poor sanitation: In 2002, about 3.1 million people died of diarrhea and malaria around the world, of which nearly 90% were children under the age of 5. Approximately 1.6 million lives each year could be saved by providing safe drinking water and sanitation.

3. Water quality is declining in most areas: There is evidence that the diversity of freshwater species and ecosystems is declining rapidly, often faster than terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The report points out that the water cycle on which life depends requires a healthy development and operating environment.

4. 90% of natural disasters are related to water: Many natural disasters are the consequences of improper land use. The increasingly severe drought in East Africa is a painful example. Local people have cut down forests to produce charcoal and fuel, causing soil erosion and lake disappearance. Due to overdevelopment around it, Lake Chad has shrunk by nearly 90%. The report points out that shrinking water resources will trigger various adverse natural reactions.

5. The contradiction between agricultural water supply and demand has become more tense: By 2030, global food demand will increase by 55%. This means more irrigation water is needed, which already accounts for nearly 70% of global human freshwater consumption.

6. Urban water shortage: By 2007, half of the world's population will live in cities. By 2030, the proportion of urban population will increase to nearly two-thirds, resulting in a surge in urban water demand. The report estimates that 2 billion people will live in shantytowns and slums. Lack of clean water and sanitation hits these urban poor hardest.

7. Insufficient development of water resources: More than 2 billion people in developing countries do not have access to reliable energy, and water is an important resource for creating energy. Europe develops and utilizes 75% of its hydropower resources. However, in Africa, 60% of people still do not have access to electricity, and the development rate of hydropower resources is very low.

8. Serious waste of water resources: In many parts of the world, as much as 30% to 40% or more of water is wasted due to leaks and illegal connections in pipes and ditches.

9. Financial investment in water resources lags behind: The report points out that official development assistance for the water sector has averaged approximately US$3 billion per year in recent years, and financial institutions such as the World Bank will also provide US$1.5 billion in non-concessional loans. However, Only 12% of funds are spent on those most in need, and only 10% of aid funds are used to develop water resources policies, plans and programmes. Additionally, private water sector investment is on a downward trend, making it more difficult to improve water efficiency.