The Bonn Keys
International Conference on Freshwater, December 2001
- The first key is to meet the water security
needs of the poor E/b>
for livelihoods, health and
welfare, production and food security and
reducing vulnerability to disasters. Pro-poor
water policies focus on listening to the poor
about their priority water security needs. It is
time now to build on the national and international
commitment on drinking water with
the determination also to halve the number of
those who do not have access to sanitation.
- Decentralisation is key. The local level is
where national policy meets community
needs.
Local authorities Eif delegated the
power and the means, and if supported to
build their capacities - can provide for
increased responsiveness and transparency in
water management, and increase the participation
of women and men, farmer and fisher,
young and old, town and country dweller.
- The key to better water outreach is new partnerships.
From creating water wisdom, to
cleaning up our watersheds, to reaching into
communities Ewe need new coalitions. Energized,
organized communities will find innovative
solutions. An informed citizenry is the
frontline against corruption. New technologies
can help; so can traditional techniques
and indigenous knowledge. This Bonn stakeholder
dialogue is part of the process.
- The key to long-term harmony with nature
and neighbour is cooperative arrangements
at the water basin level, including across
waters that touch many shores.
We need
integrated water resource management
bring all water users to the information sharing
and decision making tables. Although we
have great difficulty with the legal framework
and the form agreements might take, there
substantial accord that we must increase
cooperation within river basins, and make
existing agreements more vital and valid.
- The essential key is stronger, better performing
governance arrangements.
National water
management strategies are needed now
address the fundamental responsibilities
Governments: laws, rules and standard setting;
the movement from service delivery
the creator and manager of an effective legal
and regulatory framework. Effective regulatory
arrangements that are transparent and can
be monitored are the way to effective, responsive,
financially sustainable services. Within
these we will welcome both improved public
sector and private sector delivery arrangements.
We are convinced that we can manage water better, and that this will be a major step toward
achieving sustainable development.
Water is essential to our health, our spiritual needs, our comfort, our livelihoods, and our ecosystems.
Yet everywhere water quality is declining, and the water stress on humanity and our ecosystems
increases. More and more people live in very fragile environments. The reality of floods and droughts
touches increasing numbers and many live with scarcity. We are convinced that we can act, and we
must. We have the keys.
Source: "Water - Key to Sustainable Development: The Bonn Keys", outcome of the International Conference on Freshwater, December 2001.
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