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Background

Water is a key prerequisite for human and economic development. However, failure to manage water resources is resulting in increased competition for its use among different economic activities, while poor governance of water and sanitation services is resulting in many people not having access to water services. OECD is developing policy guidance to address the economic and financial dimensions of these challenges, and to promote integrated approaches that draw upon the expertise of several Committees and Directorates

The OECD Horizontal Water Programme on “Sustainable Financing to Ensure Affordable Access to Water Supply and Sanitation” addresses two related sets of policy questions:

• How to overcome the financial obstacles to the provision of adequate and affordable water and sanitation services for all, while ensuring the financial sustainability of service providers.
• How to improve the use of economic incentives to encourage management of water resources that is both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable, with a special focus on water use in agriculture.

Objectives

The aim of this meeting, organised in the framework of OECD´s Global Forum on Sustainable Development, was to discuss the key policy conclusions and recommendations emerging from the two-year OECD Horizontal Water Programme, which was integrated in a Synthesis Report and was made available for review and comments prior to the meeting. This report will be finalised in light of the discussion at the meeting and launched at the 5th World Water Forum, which will be held in Istanbul, 16-22 March 2009.

Structure

The meeting was structured around four thematic sessions and culminated in a high-level panel session to discuss the main policy messages and to formulate a forward-looking vision regarding challenges for the water sector.

• Meeting Opening - Presentation by Lorents Lorentsen 
  
  
• Session 1. Financing water and sanitation: Realistic strategies for developing and OECD countries - Presentation by Peter Börkey
  
  
• Session 2. Tariffs for sustainable water services: Addressing trade-offs between policy objectives - Presentation by Monica Scatasta
  
  
• Session 3. Managing water resources: Sustainable management of water resources in agriculture - Presentation by Kevin Parris
  
  
• Session 4. Is money enough? Public and private roles in developing and managing water infrastructure (for more related information please see: Private sector participation in the water and sanitation sector) - Presentation by Céline Kauffmann
  
  
• High-Level Panel Session - Presentation by Monica Scatasta

Who attended?

• Top-level and senior government officials from OECD and non-OECD countries
• Business leaders
• Leaders of non governmental organisations (NGOs) and other civil society organisations
• Representatives of intergovernmental organisations
• Representatives of international financing institutions and donor agencies
• Leading sector experts

Meeting Speeches and Press Release

• Statement by Mr. Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General
• Press release: OECD Global Forum calls for more investment in water and sanitation (December 2008)